The NUJ has criticised restrictions imposed on journalists, stopping them from accurately covering the count
SNP-run Perth and Kinross Council has come under fire for seemingly banning journalists from John Swinney’s election count.
A large number of reporters turned up at Greenock Town Hall as some polls are suggesting Malcolm Offord’s Reform could be the second largest party.
Reporters covering the count in Perth claimed they are being “penned in,” with their movements “restricted” and their ability to “wander freely” curtailed.
NUJ Scotland slammed councils for restricting journalists from covering counts in the usual manner to help provide accurate information to viewers on “the biggest news day of the year.”
In West Dunbartonshire, award-winning journalist Bill Heaney, editor/owner of The Dumbarton Democrat, has been restricted to reporting from a balcony overlooking the council chamber, where it is impossible to hear the proceedings or to see the faces of those taking part in the proceedings.
He has been told that if he wishes to ask questions, then he has to put them in writing to the council spin doctors or to place a Freedom of Information request, which might take the authorities weeks, if not months, to answer.
The Council said Heaney was exaggerating about the inability to hear, but then spent £52,000 replacing the sound equipment, which works only for participants taking part from outside, but is still inaudible from inside.
The NUJ said: “This is the biggest news day of the year, and it is unacceptable if journalists are being barred from the floor of counts for no good reason.”
Photographers and camera staff are required to use a balcony to film or capture images of the ongoing count.
They used to being able to estimate the way things are progressing, along with permitted observers who include candidates, agents, and other staff.
Adding to the tension, a journalist for the Scotsman reported that: “Things are a bit tense at the Perth count – but not because of the election result.
“Currently, the journalists and photographers are barred from entering the count floor, meaning we are unable to speak to candidates freely.
“We obviously want to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date news from this country, so we are trying to see if the situation can be changed.”
Fife Council said: “We’re running a large-scale operation, covering five constituencies and a region. We have 300 enumerators at counting tables and have issued almost 350 passes to authorised candidates and agents. That’s a lot of people who are focused on their jobs today.
“We have committed to reviewing future arrangements with the Electoral Management Board, political parties, and media outlets.”
An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “We value and respect the important role the media plays at all times and especially when covering the outcome of an election.
“It’s a crucial part of our democracy. That is why we were delighted to welcome an unprecedented number of media representatives to cover the Inverclyde constituency count and provide extensive access to the proceedings.
“Each count venue is unique, and the Inverclyde count is spread over two halls with dedicated space for the media in each hall.
“As people will appreciate, we have to be mindful of the security and integrity of the counting process, as well as being mindful of the challenging job our staff has in counting ballots timeously and accurately, which is why a decision was made not to allow rolling, live coverage of the counting.
“But media colleagues are welcome at any time to film or take photographs to support their coverage of the count, and we are supporting them with that.”
Editor Bill Heaney said, “I have been covering politics at every level, from Westminster to Brussels, to Dublin and Belfast, and local government across all of Scotland, and I have never come across a more unhelpful or obstructive council than West Dunbartonshire, where they have a record for victimising and bullying their staff.
“It may be because I have reported on these tribunals and even given evidence for staff who have been sacked and had their decisions overturned that they have come for me now, but I refuse to be intimidated.
“This ban has been kept in place for five years. This is unjust. It’s time they started operating in the real democratic world of government/media relations. Our local MSP has raised the matter with them more than once, and they have stubbornly refused to change the situation.”
Top of page: First Minister John Swinney celebrates the SNP victory with wife Elizabeth and supporters.