Media’s access to Parliament limited to press gallery under new regulations

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Sunday issued new instructions under which journalists are no longer allowed to cover sessions from under the Dome.

Media coverage of the sessions will only be from the reporters’ room up in the gallery under the new instructions announced on Sunday.

As per the new instructions, decided by the House’s executive office in a meeting on February 7, photo journalists can stay up to five minutes under the Dome when a session begins to take photos. 

Reporters’ presence under the Dome, in the corridors and in meeting rooms is now prohibited under the new instructions.

The new instructions say that reporters will be allowed to do their job according to the Jordan Press Association (JPA) Law.

Also as per the new instructions, a soundproof glass wall is to be installed around the public gallery overlooking the debating chamber. 

“If such measures are meant to restrict journalists’ movement and, consequently, their coverage of the sessions, then they [MPs] will have a strong response from us,” Khaled Quda, JPA board member, said.

“Regulating the reporters’ work is fine but restricting and obstructing them is totally rejected.”

Qudah told The Jordan Times that the photos, which caused embarrassment to some MPs and officials during previous sessions, had been taken by with their long zoom cameras from the gallery. 

“But if the new regulations mean restricting photo journalists’ movement in the gallery, like confining them to one corner or seats, we will then respond strictly to that.”  

Some photos have been published in news websites and then circulated on social media networks showing the prime minister or a minister reading a short letter from an MP conveying a private request or assurances of support.

Last week, the House did not allow photojournalist Fares Khaleifah, from Sawaleif.com, to enter the Chamber to cover a session.

While it was said that the photos of the short letters exchanged between ministers and deputies during sessions that Khaleifah took was the reason behind denying him an access to the sessions, the House permanent office said it was because the photojournalist is not a JPA member. 

“But this intended soundproof glass wall is going to be a big problem,” Qudah, a human rights expert, said, adding, “It is a matter that lies at the heart of public freedoms and citizens’ constitutional rights.”

He explained that the House is a public place that, under the law, shall be open to everyone unless it is a closed-door meeting.

“If the wall is really installed in the gallery, it will be a step backwards in the democratisation process. But let’s wait and see anyway.”