Media "blindsided’" by Parliamentary Rules

Media were "blindsided" by Parliament's moves to ban satire and impose specific breaches of rules relating to the filming and taking of still photographs according to a joint submission made today to Standing Orders Committee of Parliament by the Parliamentary Press Gallery and the Media Freedom Committee of the Commonwealth Press Union.

Gallery Chairman, Vernon Small told the committee that despite a degree of liberalisation in the new rules, the media was "disappointed that the committee had rejected out of hand our suggestions for improvement [in the rules governing coverage] in those areas we were consulted on.

"We believe the changes we propose will enhance the standing of Parliament as an open and accountable institution at the heart of our democracy - a standing which has been undermined by the new rules, judging by the polls, public and media reaction."

The media submitted the distinction in the rules governing television coverage against a more restrictive regime for still photographs should be dropped.

"The argument about still photographers causing disturbance is spurious," Dr Small told the committee.

"If any activity in the House could be seen by members of the public from the public gallery, it should be open to all media to show that activity to the much larger section of the population not in the chamber.

"We believe if the House wishes to police broadcasting and the published images of parliamentary proceedings then it would be best to mirror laws and standards of journalism ethics."

The joint submission also stated that the ban on the use of footage for satire, ridicule or denigration had led to a public and media outcry that had made it clear "how unacceptable it is as a curb on freedom of expression both by the media and the wider community."

ENDS

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