PAY, PRINT, PRAISE: Town Council Writes the News it Can Control— But Won’t Be Scrutinised by It

Penrith Town Council has declined to engage with Penrith Town News and other independent local media outlets while continuing to publish and fund news content written by its own officers — a situation that raises serious questions about transparency, accountability and the health of local democracy in Penrith.

While the Council maintains that its level of media engagement is “more than satisfactory”, its current approach means that only selected platforms — ones it controls, commissions or financially supports — receive information, statements and published material.

In a statement issued by the Town Clerk, the Council confirmed that its primary channels for communicating with the public include:

Paid hard-copy articles in local newspapers, authored by Penrith Town Council officers

Council-owned digital platforms used for press releases and community updates, written internally

Monthly payments to Eden Talking Newspaper Association to read out Penrith Town Council News, again authored by Council officers

Each of these channels ensures that Council messaging reaches different sections of the community. However, they also share a critical feature: the content is written by the Council itself and distributed without independent editorial challenge.

At the same time, Penrith Town News and other independent local outlets have been frozen out of meaningful engagement.

Although attendance at public meetings is permitted — and recording is allowed under current legislation — requests for comment, clarification and response to questions are no longer being answered where they fall outside the Council’s tightly defined Communications Policy.

The result is a situation where independent media can observe decision-making, but are denied the ability to question it.

A One-Way Controlled Flow of Information

This creates a one-way system of communication: the Council speaks, but does not respond.

In practice, this means residents are presented with polished articles and announcements written by the organisation itself, while independent journalism — whose role is to question, test and verify — is excluded from the process.

Internationally, governments in authoritarian states such as North Korea, China and Russia are known for operating similar information models: state-approved messaging distributed widely, alongside the marginalisation of independent scrutiny.

Penrith Town Council is not a dictatorship. But the method — controlling access, limiting questions and replacing independent reporting with official narrative — is uncomfortably familiar.

Public Access Is Not Accountability

The Council points to open meetings and recording rights as evidence of transparency. While these are important safeguards, access alone does not equal accountability.

Journalism relies on the ability to ask questions and receive answers. Without engagement, public access becomes observation without explanation.

Public Money, Public Right to Question

Council communications are funded by public money. That funding should support openness, not insulate decision-makers from scrutiny.

When a council pays for its own stories to be published, while refusing to engage with independent local media, it risks creating the impression of message management like the actions of a dictatorship or authoritarian regime rather than a democratic public service as a part of the local government structure serving the Penrith community.

The Unanswered Question

If Penrith Town Council believes its actions, decisions and communications can withstand democratic scrutiny, it should be open to and welcome journalistic scrutiny from all media not just those it holds the pen with and makes finacial contribution to.

Local democracy depends on more than announcements and newsletters. It depends on dialogue, challenge and the willingness of those in power to be questioned and held accountable by journalists and the public.

We make an open offer to Penrith.Town council to meet to discuss the need for accountability and transparency and how the town councils current approach is a danger to democracy and its reputation as part of Penrith's system local government.