An investigation has been launched after an image of a Melksham News reporter’s face was attached to a punchbag inside the town hall, in a story that has now reached national and regional audiences.
The incident has been reported nationally by The Guardian and featured on BBC Points West, Wiltshire radio and by other local news outlets.
The matter first came to light when Melksham News received a photograph showing an image of reporter Joe McCann stuck to a freestanding punchbag inside the building, with the words ‘punch me’ written underneath.
“Punch me”
At the full council meeting on Monday 16th February, the newspaper raised the matter directly with the town council. Joe McCann said, “It has recently come to my knowledge that within this council building, there is a punch bag with my face cut out and stuck to it, with the word ‘punch me’ written at the bottom of the punch bag. I have a photo of it. I’d like the council’s response to that.”
“Bad joke”
Councillors appeared shocked when shown the image. A town council officer apologised and said it was a “bad joke”.
Mayor Saffi Rabey said, “This is not acceptable and you have every right to be furious. I didn’t know this existed and I am lost for words on what to say on this. This is not acceptable behaviour.”
Councillor Tom Price asked whether the punchbag had been in view of the public. It was confirmed that it was visible to council staff but not the wider public.
A video clip of the meeting has been viewed by thousands of people online.
Joe McCann has been at the forefront of recent Melksham News reports on the town council, including coverage of the authority’s CCTV arrangements and the scrapping of former dog park equipment for £16, which have attracted criticism from some residents.
He said, “I didn’t expect this to go as far as it has, but the fact it has been picked up by The Guardian shows why this matters. If it isn’t addressed now, it risks creating a narrative that it is acceptable to target or undermine people who are simply doing their job in scrutinising a council.”
Alarming
Jonathan Heawood, Director of the Public Interest News Foundation, a trade body representing hundreds of news outlets across the UK, said, “It’s appalling to see anyone putting a journalist’s face on a punchbag, but particularly alarming when it’s someone who’s supposed to be accountable to the community they serve. If journalists can’t do their jobs safely, then we all suffer. I hope this marks a turning point, and that from now on, Joe McCann and all local journalists get treated with the respect they deserve.”
The story comes shortly after Melksham Town Council signed a civility and respect pledge, which covers councillor and staff conduct at a professional level.
Melksham Town Council has said an investigation into the incident is under way.
A spokesperson said, “Both the Chief Executive and the Mayor are currently on leave. As this is a personnel matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time. We can confirm that an investigation is under way and will be dealt with accordingly.”
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