Government defends media ban
The government has defended a decision to ban the media from large parts of its National Manufacturing Summit in Bristol.
Journalists have been blacklisted from the breakout sessions between ministers and industry including a section on 'promoting manufacturing'.
A DBIS spokesperson said the move had been taken in line with the wishes of conference attendees.
When asked if the ban was counterproductive for a sector with a long standing publicity problem, they said: "The decision was due to the commercial sensitivities [of some companies]. It doesn't really encourage businesses to talk openly and frankly with media in attendance."
Media representatives have been invited to a press conference at the event, but will be barred from sessions focussing on apprenticeships, exports and access to finance.
