Cross Community Outrage at Meta's Brentford TV Ban
No explanation given for John Dale's Facebook group suspension
Brentford Today at TV was set up in 2019
June 5, 2025
There has been an angry reaction from across the political spectrum and the wider community to the unexplained suspension of a popular Facebook group which focuses on the Brentford area.
Curated by John Dale, who set it up in 2019, Brentford Today & TV is widely recognised as the leading source of information on the inner workings of Hounslow Council with a consistent supply of stories provided by leaks from within the administration.
The group does not solely focus on political matters but also highlighted community initiatives and the activities of local clubs and voluntary groups.
Mr Dale, a semi-retired journalist, can’t think of anything exceptional published recently, which may have prompted the suspension. In the previous week he had covered the Council AGM, the Brentford Sunday Market, the opening of new shops on the High Street, cygnets hatching and celebrations being held for the Golden Mile Centenary.
He said, “I have been locked out of my site. Facebook has given me no explanation. People are sending messages asking if I’m well. Yes, I am well, but I fear the same cannot be said for the site.”
He appealed against the suspension on Friday (30 May) but has heard nothing since.
John Dale who edits Brentford Today and TV
He insists that he has been rigorous, “absolutely 100 per cent”, in trying to adhere to Facebook’s Community Standards, editing and monitoring all content himself as sole Administrator.
There are about 60 posts a week which he accepts will inevitably give rise to some complaints to Facebook but contends these, given the controversial nature of some of the posts, have been remarkably low. He has been suspended twice by the platform – four years ago when he published photos of himself with the Mujahideen in Afghanistan, taken during a magazine assignment in 1979, and was wrongly accused of promoting terrorism and two years ago when he posted pictures from the Brentford start of the World Naked Bike Ride. He accepts this was a misjudgement and the suspension was lifted after five days.
An automated response from Meta promises a quick response but nothing has been heard for a week
He adds, “It would be helpful if Facebook told me what triggered this. Then I could challenge it. All they offered was an ‘appeal’ button, which I duly pressed. It promised an answer in just over a day. Now it’s nearly a week and I’ve heard nothing.
“At its most basic, this undermines free speech, community and democracy. Every politician, even those I’ve criticised, should step forward and support my case as a matter of principle.”
The apparent ban seems to follow a pattern of unexplained suspensions of site providing local news by Meta, the company which operates Facebook.
In April of this year the Leicester Gazette had its Facebook admin account disabled for alleged violations of "account integrity" standards. The team was not provided with specific reasons and initially had no means to appeal. After media coverage and intervention by Press Gazette, Meta acknowledged the suspension as an error and reinstated the account. The following month Kent Online experienced a week-long restriction on its Facebook page after posting a court report and KMFM, a sister brand of Kent Online, also had its temporarily taken down. Although the page was reinstated, the journalist's personal Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram accounts remained deactivated for several days.
These incidents have raised concerns among local publishers about Meta's moderation practices, especially given the lack of clear communication and appeal mechanisms. The News Media Association has described such actions as an "attack on local journalism," emphasising the need for platforms to support, rather than hinder, access to trusted local news.
Meta has been shifting its focus away from news content. In December 2023, the company discontinued its Facebook News tab in the UK, France, and Germany and ceased funding for the Community News Project, which had supported local journalism through reporter placements.
There has been cross-party support for Brentford TV since the suspension including from members of the ruling Labour administration which has often had a fractious relationship with the site. Cllr Salman Shaheen, Hounslow Council Cabinet member, said, “As a local politician, and as someone who has worked on both sides of the media, I have always respected our local press. Even as so much of local journalism across the UK has been gutted for churnalism, those that remain to ask the awkward questions are the lens under which democracy, at all levels, is subjected to scrutiny. Brentford TV is an important channel of hyper-local information in an age when that is dying. It has, at turns, championed the work of this administration. It has also, often, been a thorn in our side. But democracy dies the day billionaire-owned multinational social media corporations can no-platform the local press on a whim. And while our jobs might be that bit easier without Brentford TV posing its awkward questions and posting sometimes salacious gossip, on this, I stand with John Dale.”
From the Tory side, Cllr Jack Emsley said, “I’ve often said that our borough is an oasis of quality local journalism in an otherwise barren landscape. We’re much richer for all of the work our local media does to keep us informed and hold power to account, so the bizarre decision, seemingly without reason, by Facebook to suspend Brentford TV has a direct negative impact on our community. It’s crucial we stand up for our local press, and I stand fully behind John in calling for Brentford TV to be reinstated immediately.” His colleague Cllr Joanna Biddolph added, "I’ve always had strong views about openness and transparency in politics. Without them, it is impossible to hold power to account. If Brentford Today & TV has been closed down because of a complaint from someone who would rather facts remain hidden, or because awkward questions were asked, or because it published articles or comments that were uncomfortable to read, that is damaging to democracy. Democracies need journalists who challenge, question and report fairly."
Independent Brentford councillor Guy Lambert, who has been involved in testy online exchanges with Mr Dale said, "I am a local councillor in Brentford and have served the town for over 10 years. I publish weekly updates via my own website guylambert.blog and also on BrentfordTW8.com which is a valuable local ‘press’ outlet.
"I also monitor Brentford TV on Facebook daily. It is an invaluable component of our local media. I frequently cross swords with John Dale but that does not diminish my position that he is a very valuable asset to local democracy and has picked up local issues or news I have raised unprompted by me.
"I am aware of his recent suspension because several members of the public living locally have asked me what is going on, because they are missing the site and worried about John’s health – a worry that turns out to be unfounded.
I believe he has been suspended with no reason given and his appeal has not led to a response of any sort.
"This is very disappointing action by Meta."
The recently elected independent councillor for Syon and Brentford Lock, Theo Dennison also weighed in with his support saying, “I am very glad to hear you are well and absolutely horrified by your suspension. I am happy to add my name and support to you in urging Facebook to reinstate you asap.
“As a resident for over 33 years and a local councillor for 12 I can attest to the high standards you have maintained covering the news locally and the unrivalled contribution you have made to informing and involving the community in civic affairs. Always open and honest you have challenged vested interests and offered a platform for members of the public to raise concerns - your site more than any other fills the immense hole left by the demise of local print journalism, it acts as the most accessible, broadest and most effective forum for local news and debate, it is interesting, lively and exciting - everything Facebook could have wished for. Your active membership and contribution via Facebook is an irreplaceable part of our community and I urge Facebook to reinstate you immediately.”
There was also widespread dismay at the suspension from residents active in the community. Prominent activist Jim Storrar of Brentford Voice said, “Brentford TV fulfils a vital civic function in our community, providing an unfailingly non-partisan view of local affairs, including community events and local political issues. I stand with John Dale.”
Paul Keane, of Brentford Boat Club, said, Brentford Today & TV has been a terrific help recently in helping us spread awareness of our activities and promoting our summer events. I’ve seen how rigorously John Dale tries to follow Community guidelines. Facebook needs to lift this ban. Otherwise Brentford will be the loser.”
Mr Dale welcomed the backing he has received and said, “Everything I post on Facebook is open and public, to encourage online debate – that’s the point. I rarely use Facebook for anything other than Brentford Today & TV. Can we trust these global sites to understand and respect our values and culture? Do we have much choice when Meta-Facebook own nearly 50 per cent of social media?”
We have contacted Meta for comment but have not received a response.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |