A journalist has accused the Scottish National Party (SNP) of imposing curbs on the media by restricting access to reporters to its leadership hustings.
Daily Record political editor Paul Hutcheon said barring journalists from attending would give the impression that the SNP is less transparent than the Conservatives, the BBC said.
The SNP had initially stated that journalists would be prohibited from attending the events to create a "safe space" for party members.
However, the party partially reversed its stance after the BBC, STV, ITN, and Sky challenged the ban on journalists.
Over the next few weeks, nine hustings have been scheduled for party members to hear from the three candidates and pose questions.
These events will take place in relatively small venues, with a small percentage of the SNP's membership permitted to attend, and will not be streamed live on the party's website or any other public platform.
The three leadership candidates - Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf, and Kate Forbes – are believed to have said the media should have coverage of the events.
A prime-time edition of Debate Night on BBC One Scotland on March 14 at 8pm will feature the candidates’ fielding questions from host Stephen Jardine and a studio audience.
A Debate Night Leadership Special, which will take place in Edinburgh, will also be broadcast live on BBC News online and on the iPlayer.
Hutcheon told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, “It looks like press freedoms are being infringed.
“This is not simply a contest to select the SNP leader. This person will lead the country and become the first minister of the country.
"It affects everyone, not simply SNP members. Everyone in Scotland is entitled to see these three candidates up close and personal."
Monks sit on a stage next to portraits of tsunami victims as people take part in an interfaith ceremony at the Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park in southern Thai province of Phang Nga on December 26, 2024. (Photo: Getty Images)
