Journalists object to 'restriction' on questions

The Journalists' Committee has objected to the Office of the Prime Minister's press secretary over a decision taken during a press conference with the Prime Minister on Wednesday evening, when journalists working for different media under the same ownership or organisation were not allowed to ask separate questions.

This led to journalists working for different media being considered as one journalist, specifically with a One News journalist who was not allowed to ask questions because a KullHadd journalist had put questions earlier on.

In a discussion with the OPM's press secretary, chairman Karl Schembri expressed his disagreement with this decision because it restricts journalists and shows little appreciation of the differences and exigencies of different media even if these are under the same ownership or organisation.

Although the decision was enforced by the press secretary across the entire media spectrum, the committee felt the decision was mistaken because it did not take into consideration the demands and requirements of the different media.

In a separate statement, the Institute of Maltese Journalists said it received a complaint from One News head Miriam Dalli alleging censorship by the Prime Minister's staff during a news conference on Wednesday.

But the Prime Minister's press secretary, Josephine Vassallo, said when contacted that the Communications Department at the OPM has decided to implement a procedure allowing media houses one question each at press conferences of that nature.

Should the media have any further questions, she said, her e-mail was always available and the Prime Minister would continue to be accessible for one-on-one meetings with all media.

The institute said the communications department at the OPM was duty bound to inform all media houses beforehand when it introduces new procedures that regulate press conferences involving the Prime Minister and other Cabinet members.

Although media houses could own several media - sometimes even through different companies, as long as any new procedure was followed fairly and the Prime Minister was accessible, journalists should abide by that decision.

However, where possible and in the interest of openness, all journalists who dedicated their time and showed enough interest to take part in press conferences in the course of their work should be allowed to put questions to the Prime Minister, although one had to accept that the Prime Minister's time was limited.