The councillors of Shiptonthorpe adopted the following media policy on 15 August 2024.

Our Policy

Shiptonthorpe Parish Council doesn’t afford any communication from any organisation presenting itself as ‘the media’ i.e. represents itself as reporting, through any mass communication method, information and opinion to the general public, or any persons presenting themselves as a journalist, any status different from those from any other individual.

The policy is in contravention of two of the 7 Nolan Principles which state that democratically elected bodies should be open and accountable. It also means that when ERYC Standards publish their report about the behaviour of the council, journalists questions will go answered.

Councillors agreed with new policy in secret after asking the press and public to leave.