The News Media Association is seeking assurances that the government remains committed to “stamping out town hall Pravda’s” after accusing it of backing down from taking legal action against two local authorities.

The group’s deputy chief executive Lynne Anderson has written to Communities Secretary Sajid Javid to express “deep concern” that the government is retreating on its position to close down council-owned publications operating outside the Publicity Code.

It claims that government directions to Waltham Forest Council and Hackney Council to cease publishing their fortnightly papers by 6 February have been withdrawn.