Entry Instance

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{
    "id": 109938,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/109938/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 272,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "images in the pictures complained of, are those of the body parts of hon. Members of this House. Again, this has neither been denied nor disputed. Hon. Members, the purpose of media coverage of Parliamentary proceedings as envisaged in the Standing Orders and Broadcasting regulations and as would be reasonably expected is to relay fair and responsible presentations of parliamentary proceedings to the public. This seems, to me, to be straightforward enough. It is not clear to me how the taking and publishing of pictures of uncovered body parts of lady Members will amount to fair coverage of Parliamentary proceedings. That the picture was published in a comic magazine is particularly instructive. It shows a clear intention that the pictures were to serve as a comic tool or object. It was an object of fun and amusement. This, certainly, without doubt is not in keeping with purposes for which journalists are invited or permitted into this House. Hon. Members, the spirit behind the provisions permitting media coverage of Parliament is really no more than that the public is entitled to follow the proceedings and conduct of their representatives in the Legislature. Media coverage should not be used to serve any other purpose. That is why Regulation 3 of the Broadcasting Regulations restrict the camera’s scope in television broadcasting. The camera is required to focus on the Member recognised by the Chair until the Member has finished speaking. Group shots and cut-aways should only be taken for purposes of showing the reaction of a group of Members to an issue raised on the Floor and wide angle shots of the Chamber can only be used during voting and division. Hon. Members, to draw a conclusion on the propriety of the publication, we have to be guided primarily by what the Standing Orders provide as regards Parliamentary reporting. This matter falls under the purview of the Standing Order No.34 addressed together with the First Schedule of the Standing Orders which embodies the broadcasting regulations. Standing Order No.215 is also germane. The Standing Orders prohibit the showing of shots designed to embarrass unsuspecting Members of Parliament. They also provide that recordings of Parliamentary proceedings may not be used for the purpose of political party advertising, ridicule, commercial sponsorship or any form of adverse publicity. While this provision appears to dwell more on television broadcasting, I am satisfied that it equally applies to pictures published by newspapers as in the current case. Hon. Members applying the Standing Orders and also the taste of a reasonable person, I have no difficulty in finding that the publication does not meet the minimum standards of responsible reporting of Parliamentary proceedings. Not only does it overlook the need to uphold the dignity of the House and its Members, but it also amounts to an abuse of the privilege vested in the Fourth Estate in covering Parliamentary proceedings. Indeed, looking beyond Parliamentary reporting, I take the view that this publication may well be a contravention of the Code of Conduct for the practice of journalism as provided for under Section 35(2) of the Media Act, 2007. That Code requires journalists to “present news with integrity and decency and respect the dignity and intelligence of the audience as well as the subject of news.” In my view, the publication of that picture neither shows respect for the dignity or intelligence of the subjects, nor even for the readers. The Code requires journalists to stick to issues and avoid intrusions into individuals’ private lives without their consent unless public interest is involved. Clearly, the picture went out of the domain of any legitimate public interest"
}