Wales’ media barred from asking Boris Johnson questions on camera
Wales’ media have been barred from asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson any questions on camera.
Journalists from ITV, BBC Wales, Heart Wales and the South Wales Argus complained that they were only allowed to ask questions without recording the answers for TV or radio.
They were also cooped up in a “tin shed” and not allowed to accompany the Prime Minister on a tour of a farm in St Brides Wentlooge near Newport.
The newly appointed PM was visiting Wales for the first time since securing the top job.
“On Boris Johnson’s first visit to Wales as PM, BBC Wales News and ITV Wales are refused the opportunity to ask him a single question on camera,” BBC journalist Felicity Evans said.
ITV Wales political editor Adrian Masters said that he had refused to ask Boris Johnson a question because he was not allowed to film the exchange.
“For the record then: on the Prime Minister’s first visit to Wales the national news outlets of Wales ITV Wales, BBC Wales and WalesOnline weren’t allowed interviews,” he said. “We were offered chance to ask questions but not to film them.
“Also for the record, I refused this offer. I hate to have turned down the chance to challenge Boris Johnson but I wouldn’t have been able to broadcast any of it. I’d have had to read quotes to the audience tonight.
“I do think it’s a strange way to begin for a new Prime Minister who says he wants to strengthen the union to treat the main national news outlets this way.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
His refusal to allow filming is an important news item itself and will hopefully be reported to the Welsh people on the ‘Welsh media’ (so-called).
Most likely the reason is due to rules regarding the press & elections – I believe there is a by-election being held in Wales.
No, otherwise he would have postponed his visit. The general view is that he didn’t want a repeat of his unpopular and disastrous visit to Scotland, which WAS filmed.
This is not a man who can be bothered to read his briefs, so he was probably trying to conceal his total ignorance of what a no-deal Brexit would mean for Welsh and other hill farmers. Or he doesn’t care?
The media should have walked away and not reported on it. Wouldn’t take long to prove who needs who.
Why have my husband and I been in house for 8 weeks doing what were told to do as we have health issues. Been treated like all others that have been off work as if there on holiday walking around with each other chatting away, and now you want us to go back to work with them not knowing what there conditions are is readiculs.