Newcastle United lifts media ban... except for the Telegraph
Newcastle United has lifted a blanket media ban on local newspapers after they were restricted access to the club for over a year.
After the ban the Chronicle vowed it was 'banned but not gagged'
Local papers, the Journal, the Chronicle and the Sunday Sun, had journalists banned from Newcastle United press conferences and press boxes from October 2013, after they covered the fans’ unhappiness with club owner Mike Ashley’s management.
After the ban, the Newcastle Chronicle ran the headline ‘Banned but not gagged’ as the NUJ and other prominent media figures criticised the team’s decision.
However, the groups have now come to an amicable agreement.
Darren Thwaites, north-east editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror, told the Press Gazette: “We’re pleased Newcastle United have restored media access for our titles after resolving our differences in recent talks.
“The club fully respects that our coverage will remain independent. We wish United every success, as we always have, but we’ll also be critical if we feel it’s appropriate.”
As result of the settlement, the titles will have access to the club’s players and staff for interviews.
Journalists from the Telegraph remain banned however with the club citing Luke Edwards’ "disgraceful" coverage of owner Mike Ashley’s alleged sale of the club as the reason.
Trinity Mirror was in talks to lift the ban with Newcastle United from August to restore the media access as early as this August.
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