Journalists propose press secretary for PM

The Journalists' Committee yesterday presented a set of proposals to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in which it suggested, among other things, the designation of a press secretary.

The committee explained that the press secretary at the OPM would be the main reference point for journalists in emergency situations and situations in which several government departments and entities were involved.

Such a press secretary would be responsible to answer media requests for information and access, give reasons whenever requests were turned down, issue information bulletins whenever necessary and organise regular press briefings and updates.

"This suggestion is being made in the name of freedom of information and public interest at the end of the day... Clearly the more transparent the flow of information is, from the government to the public, the more the public stands to benefit," committee chairman Karl Schembri said.

The committee presented the proposals in response to the OPM's call on journalists to come up with suggestions to ensure equal and fair media access in the wake of the coverage surrounding the Spanish trawler, Francesco y Catalina.

The trawler was stranded at sea for a week with 51 illegal immigrants on board last month in a saga that exposed shortcomings in the manner in which the government deals with the media.

In its proposal to the OPM, the committee reiterated the basic principle of transparency and equal access to all media without distinction, and for the setting up of journalists' pools in cases where access is bound to be restricted.

On a long-term basis, the committee also suggested the setting up of a press council to serve as a consultative platform ahead of the introduction of new laws, such as the Freedom of Information Act, but also to discuss specific problems encountered by the media in its relations with government entities.