Reform UK Bars Journalists from Its Own Party Conference, Raising Press Freedom Alarm

September 06, 2025 – UK –

Reform UK has drawn sharp condemnation from press freedom advocates after refusing to accredit media outlets, including DeSmog and The New World, for its 2025 party conference. The party cited no explanation for the denial, prompting warnings that its move echoes “the authoritarian playbook.”

This decision appears emblematic of Reform UK’s broader pattern of controlling narrative and limiting scrutiny. In August, Nottinghamshire’s Reform-led council banned access to local publications—Nottingham Post and Nottinghamshire Live—citing critical coverage as justification. This too triggered criticism, with observers warning it undermines democratic accountability.

Meanwhile, at a US congressional hearing, party leader Nigel Farage defended his free-speech credentials while facing accusations of hypocrisy. American lawmakers grilled him for the conference media ban, highlighting the incongruity of criticizing online safety laws at home while actively silencing journalists from attending his parties.

The coverage ban at Reform UK’s high-profile event signals a disturbing trend. By excluding journalists, the party denies the public an essential source of information and risks devolving into an echo chamber where criticisms are muted and checkpoints on power are absent. For those monitoring press freedoms, the denial signals a dangerous consolidation of narrative control—undermining the transparency expected in political discourse.

Reference – 

https://www.desmog.com/2025/09/04/reform-uk-ban-journalists-2025-party-conference/