Media bosses, gov’t to discuss Gordon House restrictions today
MEDIA bosses will today demand an explanation from the Speaker of the House for the recent ban on journalists accessing the public galleries and the Hansard area of Gordon House, saying too many conflicting reasons have been put forward to date.
Representatives from several media houses will attend a midday meeting at Gordon House, where they hope to engage in a frank and open discussion with House Speaker Michael Peart.
Yesterday, the Media Association of Jamaica (MAJ) said it welcomed the Gordon House meeting, and hoped the discussions would be “meaningful, rational and will consider the size of the existing media in Jamaica and the importance of proper working conditions as we report on the nation’s business”.
On October 20, parliamentary reporters were informed that they would no longer be able to access the public galleries and the Hansard area.
The latest restrictions came in the aftermath of a Daily Observer photograph of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller doodling during a debate on a no-confidence motion against her government.
This is not the first time that a ban is being imposed on parliamentary reporters. In April 2004, access to the lobby area was restricted after the press reported that then minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, K D Knight, had used expletives to Simpson Miller, who, at the time, was the minister of local government.
Yesterday, the MAJ said in a statement that today’s meeting should have taken place before the imposition of the latest restrictions.
“The MAJ notes that differing reasons for the changes have been given, rendering it unclear as to the real rationale for the changes,” said the statement.
The organisation added that the restrictions could compromise the role of the media in a democracy.
“It is imperative that media has the freedom to effectively carry out its job,” the MAJ said.