Two journalists were ejected from a festival after reporting on a fight between young women that led to a performer having to stop his act. It meant PlymouthLive was unable to report on the headline act Years and Years on day two of the 1 Big Summer event.
Reporters Erin Black and Amber Edwards said they were removed from the Plymouth Hoe site under escort on Friday (June 3) after being called into a small office by two male event organisers. They were told covering the fight in the crowd was 'clickbait coverage', PlymouthLive reports.
They had reported how singer-rapper Not3s stopped performing one of his songs in an attempt to stop the brawl and get security crews to become involved. He later restarted after those involved in the fight were dealt with, by security and medical staff.
Both journalists had been providing video and words for PlymouthLive, including interviews with performers and photos of the audience for coverage of the festival. But Erin said the male event organisers appeared deeply unhappy that PlymouthLive had reported the incident and expressed the view that PlymouthLive had breached their trust.
She has noted that a number of other unseemly comments were made regarding the two reporters and PlymouthLive. Both reporters have corroborated a number of the comments directed at them.
Erin said that in reply she informed the representative that as a news organisation and as journalist - who have already been covering the 1 Big Summer for nearly two days with ongoing live blogs, photos and videos promoting the event - PlymouthLive were obliged to write about all incidents, without fear or favour, especially if they take place in front of thousands of festivalgoers. She said she noted that PlymouthLive has, over the last two days, diligently reported on the music, interviewed many of the performers as well as spoken with audience members.
However, she said that event organisers appeared to strongly disagree and expressed the view that PlymouthLive should have ignored the incident altogether. Both reporters were then told remove their wrist bands and were escorted to an exit.
As a result PlymouthLive was unable to return to the site and has been refused approval to show its interview with Years and Years' Olly Alexander recorded before he took to the stage for his set.
A question mark now remains over the likelihood that PlymouthLive will be granted access to cover any part of the third day of 1 Big Summer. Discussions are expected to take place on Saturday morning and this article will be updated when more information becomes available.
