Speaker Anġlu Farrugia is defending a ruling ordering the media to include the names of MPs who ask parliamentary questions in their reports.
Although Standing Orders that regulate parliamentary procedure make no reference to this aspect of media reportage, Dr Farrugia insisted that, in the absence of legal provisions, it all boiled down to “parliamentary custom”.
He took umbrage at this newspaper’s question about the legal basis for his conclusion, insisting that, for transparency’s sake, it was correct for people to know what questions and arguments their MPs were making in Parliament.
“If any MP disagrees with my ruling it can be contested in Parliament according to established procedures but the Speaker is there to give direction,” Dr Farrugia said.
The ruling was delivered after Nationalist MP Ċensu Galea complained in Parliament that a report in l-Orizzont failed to mention him as the MP who asked the question that instigated a story about abandoned cars and boats in St Paul’s Bay.
When contacted about the ruling, Mr Galea said that “in an ideal world” the media should regulate itself but noted the reality was far from ideal.
“The truth is that some MPs get mentioned every time they speak, while others are ignored by the media.
“I believe people have a right to know what their MPs are saying in Parliament even if they utter stupidities,” he said.
Mr Galea insisted it was unfair that MPs of any side got mentioned depending on the contacts they had in the media.
I believe people have a right to know what their MPs are saying in Parliament even if they utter stupidities
“I will not enter into the merits as to whether there should have been a ruling, in fact, I was surprised the Speaker gave a ruling but it is only correct that people get the full picture,” Mr Galea said.
The controversy was sparked by a report in l-Orizzont that quoted information obtained from the parliamentary reply given by Local Councils Minister Owen Bonnici to a question by Mr Galea.
The newspaper report quoted a Facebook post of the locality’s mayor but did not include reference to Mr Galea.
Although Mr Galea did not raise a breach of privilege complaint and did not ask for a ruling, the Speaker took it upon himself to ask l-Orizzont for a clarification.
The newspaper answered asking the Speaker to identify the laws and Standing Orders that obliged the media to mention by name MPs who tabled parliamentary questions.
Dr Farrugia said he felt it necessary to give a ruling to establish “clear guidelines” on parliamentary reporting by all media outlets, basing his decision on the practice adopted in Commonwealth countries.