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{
    "id": 143661,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/143661/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 482,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Hon. Members, you will have to hear the Speaker in silence. Order hon. Members! Standing Order No.215 provides that:- “Any media institution whose representative infringes these Standing Orders or any rules made by the Speaker for the regulation of the admittance of strangers or persistently misreports the proceedings of the House, or neglects or refuses on request from the Clerk to correct any wrong report thereof to the satisfaction of the Speaker, may be excluded from representation in the Press Gallery for such term as the House shall direct.” Hon. Members, the question that the Chair has to determine is whether the report complained of infringes on the proceedings of this House so as to invite sanctions under Standing Order No.215. It has severally been pronounced from this Chair, and I wish to repeat it that this House has no intention of muzzling the Fourth Estate. Further, this House considers the Fourth Estate to be a foremost partner in the governance of this country. However, it must also be understood that journalism like any other profession, perhaps, more than any other profession carries with it enormous responsibility. We share a common destiny. We stand or fall as a nation together. To this end, the media must always consider the consequences of the tone and slant of every story or report. The Chair will not hesitate to invoke appropriate sanctions where the Standing Orders are contravened. The media is on permanent notice from this House to refrain from reckless or callous breach of the aforesaid Standing Orders and that any breach will be dealt with instantly and firmly. In the present matter, hon. Members, the Chair has carefully examined the report complained of. It is a report of the varying fortunes of the various political parties in the sharing of the membership of the Committees of the House. It purports that a particular political party obtained control of what it describes as “key House Committees” and also that the party secured majority representation in seven Committees. The report lists the Committees and their membership by parties. The conclusion made in the report on the effects of the membership of the various Committees on the fortunes of the various political parties is a subjective matter and is arguable. Some might say that the headline promised more than it delivered. Others might argue with the choice of words for the headlines. However, all that is neither here nor there. It is a matter of opinion. While Mr. Mungatana is entitled to hold the view that the report was sensational or flamboyant, the Chair does not find support that the report is a distortion or a manipulation. In particular, the Chair does not find any evidence of misreporting by The Standard newspaper report within the meaning of Standing Order No.215. Standing Order No.215 is a shield and not"
}