The DUP has said it reserves the right to decide who attends its events after a journalist was refused entry to its party conference.
Amanda Ferguson, a freelance reporter and commentator, was temporarily denied access on Saturday before the decision was overturned by DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson.
She said her involvement in an Ireland's Future event in Dublin and her coverage of abortion-related issues were cited as reasons for her exclusion from the conference at Belfast's Crowne Plaza Hotel.
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The DUP had declined to comment on the move but has since issued a statement to BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.
A DUP spokesman said: "At all times the party reserves the right to decide who attends its events. No one has a right to access events.
"It says a lot about some NUJ members that there is confusion over whether they are campaigners or journalists.
"The party asked our press office not to give accreditation to Amanda Ferguson in advance of the conference. Following a review on Saturday morning, a decision was taken to admit Amanda in her journalistic capacity.
"The party conference was watched by both media all over the world and in Northern Ireland through the live feed facility provided. Other full-time NI journalists chose to watch the live feed rather than attend in person.
"The DUP will always uphold the freedom of the press. We were standing up for press freedom when others were threatening and shooting journalists."
Ms Ferguson chaired a panel at an event in Dublin's 3Arena earlier this month held by campaign group Ireland's Future to discuss Irish unity.
She told The Irish News that upon being denied entry to the DUP conference, "My hosting of a panel at the Ireland's Future event in the 3Arena was mentioned, as well as my past coverage of abortion issues.
"But I'm a professional journalist who hosts countless events with a variety of themes and aims."
The National Union of Journalists said the DUP move to bar Ms Ferguson could have set a "dangerous precedent".
In a statement it said it was unacceptable to deny Ms Ferguson entry "just because some in the party did not like what she had written".
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