Political eyes on Press Gallery

Press, 23 April 1984, Page 4

Political eyes on Press Gallery

By

MICHAEL HANNAH,

Parliamentary reporter

The Parliamentary Press Gallery, familiar with reporting what politicians like to call the “robust” world of politics in Wellington, has found itself the centre of attention from politicians in recent weeks. That attention has raised questions of just what the Press Gallery is and what it does.

The gallery is embroiled in controversies with the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, over rents being

charged on its offices in Parliament Buildings, and over the behaviour of reporters covering the illness of the Minister of Customs, Mr Allen.

Yet, apart from an occasional, brief appearaNce on television as recorders of Sir Robert’s latest announcement, or a name above a story in the local newspaper, little is probably known of the gallery by the general public. Nevertheless, most of what the public hears or reads of politics from Wellington emanates from the Press Gallery. The gallery consists of reporters who are accredited each year by the Speaker to report on a daily or weekly basis from Parliament. The Daily Press Gallery, which has offices in the old Parliament Buildings, numbers about 50 reporters, representing the larger newspapers — “The Press” among them — Radio New Zealand, private radio stations and television.

Daily accreditation is granted on the basis that the organisation is involved in the daily reporting of Parliament, and so these organisations have seats allocated in a separate gal-

lery in the House of Representatives, to allow them to record events in the House, when it is sitting.

Journalists accredited on a weekly basis have access to Parliament Buildings, though they generally do not have office accommodation, as they do not report Parliament each day it sits. They limit their requirements generally, then, to a pigeonhole, for reports and as many as 50 statements a day from politicians and political groups. The row over gallery rentals has, therefore, directly involved the daily press gallery and one weekly newspaper, which have offices accommodating up to five reporters for each organisation. “The Press” employs two full-time staff in Parliament Buildings, and a third person when Parliament sits.

The Parliamentary side of a gallery reporter’s duties extends beyond the sitting of Parliament, however. It will generally include coverage of select committees, which are open to the gallery, or to other reporters accepted by the committee chairman, but not to the public, except those making submissions. So, while people living in

or visiting Wellington can attend Parliament when it is sitting, or listen to radio broadcasts (though these do not extend beyond 10.30 p.m.), they cannot attend select committee hearings.

For most New Zealanders, then, media reports of Parliament are their easiest access to information on what their political representatives are doing.

The gallery is as old as the New Zealand Parliament. Accounts of speeches by members’ of Parliament now recorded verbatim by Hansard, were originally compiled from newspaper reports. The Press Gallery is also involved in reporting government and politics from Parliament Buildings and this occupies their time all year round, while Parliament will occupy only five months this year, for instance.

Because of the proximity of the Beehive and members’ offices in the old Parliament Buildings, political and government events are also included in the gallery’s round of duties.

The most obvious example of this business is the Prime Minister’s regular press conferences, which he calls to publicise matters

discussed by the Cabinet on Monday or by the Government caucus on Thursday (when Parliament is sitting).

Journalists are also involved, however, in frequent interviews with politicians, and reporting of talks held in the Beehive, such as the tripartite wage talks. Press conferences, however, open the politicians to questioning by the gallery, though they are under no obligation to answer questions. The press conference is for the politician to call. How he handles questions is over to him. It is in this area that the second controversy involving the gallery erupted. Sir Robert has been repeatedly asked questions, concerning the health of Mr Allen, at recent press conferences. He had put off detailed answers until last Monday, and had objected to reporters’ handling of the issue.

At last Monday’s conference, he singled out a private radio reporter, Mr Barry Soper, who had persisted with questioning, for a complaint to the Speaker over his behaviour. Sir Robert described Mr Soper’s behaviour as rude. Mr Soper described it as persistent. Although questioning at

these press conferences can often be heated, depending on the issue on hand, complaints about reporters’ behaviour to the Speaker are rare, though Sir Robert has excluded journalists from his conferences before; an action within his rights.

Behaviour in Parliament Buildings, however, comes within the Speaker’s jurisdiction and, if serious enough, can affect a journalist’s accreditation. Members of the Press Gallery have often clashed with politicians in the past.

But the present controversies over rentals and behaviour have erupted in an election year, raising questions over how the relationship between politicians and the press could affect an election campaign. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Lange, believes the Government is gaining in the popularity polls from its handling of the gallery. Others believe the rows are simply a storm in a teacup which will be quickly forgotten. Whatever the case, a debate over the role of the news media has started.