HOME	JUNE 26th, 2004

JUNE 26

Parliamentary Representative for St. George's North-east Nazim Burke says the decision to block media coverage of proceedings involving the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) amounts to interference with freedom of the press in Grenada.

He made the comment last Tuesday at a press conference called by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to express concern with a letter sent to Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas.

The letter which was signed by House Speaker, Lawrence Joseph said that any premature publication of evidence relating to the sitting of the PAC is contrary to Standing Order No.75.

Joseph ruled that with immediate effect, media personnel or any member of the public will not be permitted to record the proceedings of the Committee by cameras or by any other recording device nor undertake the premature publication of evidence of the Committee in anyway.

Some media houses were also recipients of similar letters signed by Clerk of Parliament, Kenneth Hobson. Burke, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the NDC told reporters that the letter which was sent to the Opposition Leader is totally unacceptable.

He said the content is "wholly misconceived" and that the position of the Speaker is "totally misguided". The Member of Parliament stated that meetings of the PAC are of a public nature and as such the decision not to allow the media access to sittings is a clear attempt to deny the public information and to control the way the body operates.

Burke took issue with the section of the Standing Orders which was quoted by the Speaker to curtail press coverage of the proceedings. He explained that based on the Standing Orders, the Sessional or Select Committees is comprised of the Committee of Selection, Standing Orders Committee, House Committee and the Committee of Privileges.

According to the NDC official, until the rules are modified then the opposition will continue to be guided by the principles of this interpretation. Opposition Leader Tillman Thomas who also spoke at the press conference pointed out that the decision not to allow the media to report on the proceedings is an attempt to restrict press freedom.

He said that he would not be associated with the PAC if the media are not allowed to cover and report on the proceedings. This newspaper was able to obtain a copy of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts Members - Guide 107 which gives details of the relationship between PAC and the Media.

It stated that the Committee should develop good relationships with the media who can play an important role in its work by informing the public about matters under Committee investigation, why those matter are of concern and how they may be resolved or improved.

The Guide noted that media coverage of the PAC's work enhances public awareness of the Legislature's scrutiny of how the Government is spending their taxes and informs the public of their representatives' efforts on their behalf.