New guidelines for media working at Tasmania’s parliament house are an “outrageous assault on press freedom”, the journalists’ union says.
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The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has written to Speaker Sue Hickey asking her to rescind the new guidelines released on Wednesday for media working in the House of Assembly.
MEAA Tasmanian president Mark Thomas said the new guidelines effectively banned journalists from working in many areas and prevented reporting on the activities and behaviour of MPs.
“These new rules represent the most egregious attack on the work of a parliamentary press gallery in this country and are not worthy of an Australian parliament,” he said.
“We have urged the Speaker to immediately rescind these new rules and restore the ability of journalists to do their vital work of informing Tasmanian communities about what their parliamentarians are doing in their name.”
Greens leader Cassy O’Connor raised the new guidelines in parliament.
“Do you support this crackdown on a free press and a move that is being criticised nationally and referred to as a threat to our democracy?” she asked.
Ms Hickey told Ms O’Connor: “We are looking into it so I give you and the media the assurance that we are trying to make them best practice.”
In a media statement, Ms Hickey said the media had a designated media room and parliament house lawns for interviews.
“The guidelines are consistent with similar guidelines that apply in other parliaments across Australia,” she said.
Murchison independent member Ruth Forrest said the guidelines were “just silly”.
“I can’t see why you need them,” she said. “If you are open and transparent what is there to hide?”
The guidelines say: “Members of the media may not linger in the corridors in the vicinity of the House of Assembly Chamber, Committee Rooms, the Atrium, Ministerial Offices, party rooms or individual rooms of Members of the House of Assembly.
“In these areas, the media may not seek to engage Members in conversation. As a general rule, members of the media wishing to speak with a Member should make an appointment by telephone.”
In relation to photos and vision the guidelines say, “Shots showing the Speaker receiving advice from a Clerk at the Table should not be used.”