Creating 'Corporate Journalism' in Football

IN February Rangers Football Club was condemned for imposing a ban on the Daily Record.


According to the Trinity Mirror-owned title, the club’s chief executive, Derek Llambias, sent an email and fax on Monday evening saying it was no longer welcome at matches and press conferences.  The Daily Record said that despite the ban, it will 'continue to write the truth'.


Llambias wrote to the club:
'Following recent reporting by your journalists in the Daily Record, I am writing to inform you that with immediate effect the Daily Record newspaper will banned from attending all Rangers press conferences and games at Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park.'


The Record quotes Craig Houston, spokesman for Rangers supporters group Sons of Struth, as saying:
'All Rangers supporters should be deeply disturbed that this latest development.  The Daily Record, perhaps more than any other newspaper, has exposed what has been going on behind the scenes at our club – particularly over the last four years.'


Record editor Murray Foote said:
'We're disappointed by this ban but will continue our robust, fair and accurate reporting of Rangers.'


Rangers is the third club to have been exposed for banning a newspaper so far this year.  Newcastle United - whose owner Mike Ashley reportedly owns 8.9 per cent of Rangers' shares - recently lifted a 14-month ban on the local press, which was prompted by coverage of a fan protest. But the club has an ongoing ban against the Telegraph.  Swindon Town and Gillingham Town have also been in the news so far this year for bans on newspapers.


This has been described as an attempt to create of 'corporate journalism' in football.