Police lift ITV press conference ban in Joanna Yeates case

Avon and Somerset police have lifted a ban on ITV News attending press conferences relating to the Joanna Yeates case yesterday, but warned it would "not hesitate" to ban them again in the future.

In a statement issued today, the police confirm that they withdrew ITV News' invitation to attend Wednesday's morning press conference "because of the manner and the inaccuracies of their 10 o'clock news report" on Tuesday.

But following what the force considered to be "a much more accurate and measured piece of journalism" by ITV News at lunchtime yesterday, the ban has been lifted.

"The media are a crucial partner in helping us to catch those responsible for killing Jo," the Avon & Somerset police said in a statement.

"The withdrawal of the invitation to ITN to attend the press conference was made because of the manner and the inaccuracies of their 10 o'clock news report yesterday evening," the statement added.

"But this has now been counterbalanced by a much more accurate and measured piece of journalism at lunchtime.

A spokesperson for ITN said today that the broadcaster was "not party to any agreement to run favourable reports in order to retain access to briefings".

Avon & Somerset police have warned that, despite readmitting ITN, it will "not hesitate to adopt similar tactics again if we feel any media organisation hampers our investigation."

Journalism.co.uk reported yesterday that ITN had accused Avon and Somerset police of attempting to censor its output after implementing the ban.

The force has lodged a complaint with Ofcom over the report.

ITN claimed at the time that Avon and Somerset police had been contacted "numerous times" prior to broadcast but "did not use this opportunity to register any issues or raise a complaint with ITN".

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