UK station protests lack of access to government officials

A television station in the United Kingdom is criticizing the British government, saying that media outlets are not receiving enough access to public officials.

Ben de Pear, editor of the U.K.’s Channel 4, said in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday that fewer interviews have been granted with the country’s prime minister and cabinet, as well as the opposition leader. 

“Our viewers deserve to see all politicians held to account, and criticism of lack of access should not should not result in a closing down of that access,” the statement said. 

The station said it would work with the government to resolve the issue. 

Statement on @Channel4News access to politicians pic.twitter.com/XSSCvwVrl2

— Ben de Pear (@bendepear) August 27, 2019

The statement comes amid a dispute between Channel 4 and the government of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The network has accused Johnson’s team of canceling an interview because of criticism the station’s news chief leveled at the prime minister.

Dorothy Byrne, the outlet’s head of news and current affairs, called Johnson a “known liar,” and likened his media approach to that of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to The Guardian. {mosads}

Byrne particularly condemned the prime minister’s decision to publish his own videos on Facebook instead of doing interviews with reporters. 

She also encouraged TV producers to accuse politicians of lying if they believe they are doing so.

“If we continue to be so polite, how will our viewers know that politicians are lying?” she asked.