Media and assembly set to work better together
12.09.2009
Media and parliament expect to work better together in the near future after a two-day training workshop outlined their roles and responsibilities when it comes to the people’s right to information.
For two days local journalists and parliamentarians exchanged views on several issues that are crucial to them and have been the reason for the often strained and difficult relationship between them.
The seminar was held under the direction of British Member of Parliament Fraser Kemp, parliamentary editor and lecturer Owino Opondo, communications and research director of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Shem Baldeosingh, as well as local media experts.
Apart from the role of the media and how they should cover, edit and prepare unbiased reports of National Assembly proceedings, other topics discussed were:
● Defining public interest when it comes to assembly proceedings;
● The value of parliamentary information;
● Media access to parliament and parliamentary activities such as committee meetings;
● Freedom of information;
● Understanding National Assembly procedures.
At the end of the seminar, which was described by those taking part as fruitful, informative and long overdue, both parties agreed that they now understand each other better and look forward to a better working relationship.
More than a dozen recommendations came out of the workshop and are being properly drafted before being handed over to the assembly’s media advisory committee to be translated into action.
Among them are ways in which the assembly and the media could work together to strengthen and improve their relations, for example through better access to information and more training for journalists who report on assembly matters.
Declaring the working session closed on Thursday afternoon, assembly speaker Dr Patrick Herminie said he is “convinced that a more balanced relationship now exists between the media and parliament”.
He said a lot has been achieved between the two parties and a lot more can be done, provided there is the willingness to make it happen.
Both the leader of government business Marie-Louise Potter and the leader of the opposition Wavel Ramkalawan expressed their satisfaction at the outcome of the workshop.
Mrs Potter said the session has made them realise that for too long, instead of understanding the media and using them to make their cause heard, they have instead fought and tried to control and dictate to them. She said in future they want to see the media as partners.
Accepting the fact that the media cannot cover all that the members want, Mr Ramkalawan said the workshop has opened doors to deeper and stronger relationships, transparency, accuracy and fairness in the way reports are made and written, and has given both parties more tools to enhance their work and improve relations between them and the public.