Sky News today altered their coverage of Reform UK press conferences after a concerted campaign organised by Best for Britain.
Last week, Sky News broadcast two press conferences organised by Reform UK on two consecutive days. One of these broadcasts saw Sky News cut away from the Lionesses’ victory parade through London for coverage of Nigel Farage being interviewed by former Reform UK party Chairman Zia Yusuf.
In response, Best for Britain organised a campaign, empowering the public to show their objection to the lack of balance and editorial independence demonstrated by Sky News.
In three days, more than 5,000 people used Best for Britain’s online tool to write to Sky News and make a formal complaint.
After Reform UK announced yet another press conference on the same issues today, Sky News made some changes in their coverage, this time retaining editorial control by not taking the live stream directly from Reform UK, and providing more balanced coverage with a government minister responding to claims made at the press conference shortly afterwards.
Cal Roscow, director of campaigns at Best for Britain, said:
“The changes made by Sky News today to reclaim some degree of editorial control and add balance are welcome and we thank our supporters for taking action on this issue.
“With their new in-house studio, Reform UK looks determined to host a press conference as often as they can get away with and so broadcasters should reflect on the newsworthiness of such blatant political campaigning, and the real world consequences of platforming Farage’s brand of hyper-divisive politics.”