The News Media Coalition has called on Brighton & Hove Albion to reverse its decision to exclude Guardian reporters and photographers from formal attendance at the Amex Stadium, warning that excluding independent journalists from organised sports events undermines press freedom and public-interest reporting.
“Banning sports and news reporters, photographers and video journalists from Press facilities at football matches serves nobody – not fans, the club nor, for that matter, the integrity of football as a whole,” said Andrew Moger, NMC Chief Executive. “There are existing formal avenues for complaints about Press reporting to be pursued rather than censoring professional newsgathering at the ground.”
Moger added: “Relationships between clubs, players, fans and the Press are often strained because of passions involved. But at a time of rampant disinformation confronting us all, we could do with more Press witnessing events rather than fewer. Come on Brighton – do the right thing. Football authorities have a big role to play here too to ensure quality news reporting serving all communities of interest is safeguarded at all grounds and is not undermined at the whim of any one club or owner.”
As reported by The Guardian, the club notified the title that it would be “inappropriate” to accredit its journalists and photographers following coverage of allegations concerning Brighton’s owner, Tony Bloom. The move has drawn broad criticism from MPs, the Society of Editors, the Football Supporters’ Association and the News Media Association, who have described it as a “dangerous precedent” and a “deeply troubling attack on press freedom”.
Brighton has said it refutes claims it is restricting press freedom and argued it is not obliged to provide media access while disputing aspects of the reporting.
The NMC believes independent press access to facilities such as the Press Tribune, press conferences and player-interviews is essential to Primary Source Journalism (PSJ): witness-based reporting, photography and video produced under newsroom standards and accountability. Denying accreditation to specific outlets because of legitimate reporting risks chilling scrutiny, reduces the range of credible coverage for fans and the wider public, and undermines confidence in the openness of the game.
