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February 19, 2026 – UK –
A local journalist in Melksham, Wiltshire, has raised serious concerns about workplace harassment and the treatment of the press after discovering a printed photo of his face affixed to a punchbag inside the town’s council building, according to multiple reports. Melksham News reporter Joe McCann confronted councillors on February 16, 2026, over the incident, which was described by local officials as unacceptable and is now under investigation.
McCann, who has spent more than a decade reporting on local government, became aware of the image after a contact sent him a photograph showing a freestanding punchbag in the Melksham Town Hall with his face taped to it and the words “punch me” printed below. He took the matter to a full council meeting to prompt an official response and raise awareness about what he says was inappropriate behaviour by council staff.
During the session, McCann displayed the photo and addressed councillors directly, stating he was “pretty shocked” to learn of the display and underlining the potential impact such actions could have on journalists, especially those newer to the profession. In response, Mayor Saffi Rabey called the conduct “not acceptable” and said she was unaware the item had been placed in the building. A council spokesperson acknowledged that an internal personnel matter was being investigated, without providing further details on timing or specific action.
McCann told local media that he initially viewed the image as a bizarre prank but soon realised its potential to normalise intimidation of journalists. He stressed that his reporting had been fair and impartial, and questioned why council staff would single him out, particularly given the paper’s longstanding coverage of the council’s decisions — some of which had drawn criticism from the public.
The incident has sparked broader discussion in UK journalism circles about professional respect and press safety, with McCann comparing the episode to environments where journalists routinely face hostility and harassment. Although the council’s investigation is in its early stages, the episode highlights growing unease among local media about the treatment of reporters covering public institutions and functions.
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