SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman, hosted a luncheon for the media, in the Parliament Chamber yesterday, to discuss a proposed Code of Conduct for reporters and technical personnel who cover parliamentary activities. At the forum, he indicated that another code is being drafted for Members of Parliament (MPs).
The one for the media specifies areas of the Public Buildings to which its members have access, and more particularly, from where they can broadcast.
It states what mode of dress is acceptable for media operatives when on the Parliament premises.
Trotman said the rules were formulated after examining various Media Codes of Conduct of Parliaments around the world.
Guests at yesterday’s luncheon were representatives of the National Communications Network (NCN), Government Information Agency (GINA), the Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News and MTV 14/65, among others.
A number of issues were raised by them, such as the issue of space for reporters and cameramen in the Parliament Chamber, and the Speaker mentioned the possibility of setting up a media centre in a separate room where a live feed would be transmitted and reporters can cover from there.
It was also suggested that media houses can share film footage in an effort to reduce the number of cameras in the chamber.
In addition, Trotman proposed that media houses should use discretion in the number of persons they send to cover sittings of the National Assembly, noting that some entities have a number of reporters and cameramen there at the same time.
He said those persons could be rotated instead and cover the sittings in shifts.
MPs Jennifer Wade and Sydney Allicock were present, as well.