Journalists' Committee meets Opposition Whip

The Journalists' Committee yesterday held a meeting with Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi, upon a request by the Committee to both party whips in the House of Representatives.

The Committee presented its proposals for better access for journalists in Parliament, particularly for cameramen and photographers.

Journalists' Committee chairman Karl Schembri reiterated that arbitrary access in Parliament had to stop and that open access to all the media should be the norm.

"Parliament needs to appreciate that the audio-visual media are an essential part of the country's media and information landscape," Mr Schembri said.

"As the highest institution of the country, Parliament has to extend its openness and transparency to all kinds of media."

Mr Mizzi expressed his understanding that Parliament should be open to all media within agreed parameters and promised to discuss the proposals on the Parliamentary Affairs Committee once they are presented officially.

In fact, apart from the government and opposition Whips, the Journalists' Committee is sending its proposals to the Parliamentary Affairs Committee.