Whip calls on Speaker to enforce ruling for media not to ‘hassle’ MPs

Nationalist Whip David Agius has called on Speaker of the House Michael Frendo to insist on enforcing a ruling the latter issued, which calls for the respect of MPs by the media during the carrying out of their duties in parliament.

Addressing the House Wednesday evening, Agius said that while members of the press should be free to carry out their work, "this should not be done to the detriment of the MP."

"MPs are once again facing obstruction from getting to parliament with journalists running after them while going in or coming out of parliament," Agius said.

"This happened again last Monday," he said, referring to the evening session when the Opposition's motion calling for the resignation of Malta's permanent representative to the EU Richard Cachia Caruana was approved.

As usually happens after such sittings, both sides of the House address the press after important votes, while members of the press wait for the respective MPs outside the Parliament building for further comments.

On Monday evening, Agius was one of the several MPs from whom the media tried to get a reaction following the vote on the Cachia Caruana motion.

As he emerged from parliament, he was witnessed walking through St George's Square arguing with a One News journalist because he did not wish to be interviewed.

Addressing the House on Wednesday evening, Agius said journalists outside the parliamentary building should stick to a cordoned-off area. "We must protect and eliminate any obstacles which would stop the MPs from attending and participating in parliament," he said, adding that journalists should go on doing their work in an area which doesn't "hassle" the MPs.

"Mr Speaker I ask you to insist that MPs should not be faced by the obstacles of cameras and microphones shoved being into their face without the MP's permission," Agius reiterated.

In reply, the Speaker said that while the House appreciated the coverage given by the media, "it is also important that this is carried out decently and the privilege that an MP has while coming and going to parliament is rigorously respected."