On Tuesday, the Journalists' Committee presented proposals to the Office of the Prime Minister in response to the same office's call on journalists to come up with suggestions to ensure equal and fair media access. Thecall had come in the wake of the coverage surrounding the Spanish trawler Francisco y Catalina carrying 51 Eritrean illegal immigrants in Maltese territorial waters towards the end of July.
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. Among the most important proposals, the Committee suggested the clear designation of a Press Secretary at OPM who would be the main reference point for journalists in emergency situations as well as in situations in which several government departments and entities are involved.
Such a press secretary, according to the Committee, would be responsible to answer media requests for information and access, and to give reasons whenever requests are turned down. The press secretary would also be responsible to issue information bulletins whenever there are ongoing cases developing - such as the Spanish trawler case and search and rescue operations - and to organise regular press briefings and updates.
On a long term basis, the Journalists' Committee suggested the setting up of a Press Council, made up of representatives of journalists and the media together with the OPM's press secretary and an independent chairperson. The council would 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 the relations with government entities.
The Committee also called for journalist pools in cases of restricted access to coverage along with information bulletins and frequent press briefings.
Last month the Journalists' Committee said that the saga of the Spanish trawler Francisco y Catalina, stranded at sea with 51 asylum seekers on board, exposed a number of serious flaws in government's communications strategy and in its dealings with the media and reiterated its position that it is in the government's own interest to ensure that accurate information is made available to the general public and that the best possible antidote to speculation is clear, timely and open information.
However, the Office of the Prime Minister said that it could not understand how media organizations felt that they were not treated equally and said that it is open to suggestions so that media are granted better access in such circumstances.
See also:
Committee demands clear information procedures
By Maltamedia News
Jul 21, 2006, 17:52 CET
Illegal immigrants leave Malta
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 21, 2006, 18:25 CET
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