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Members Pre-Sitting/Sitting
Media Policy
All media organizations are prohibited from attending the Member’s Pre-Sitting Briefing except for the approved media organization for out-reach purposes
Introduction
The Parliament of Samoa recognizes the importance of fair and factual reporting of Parliament proceedings. The rules set forth ensure that whilst Parliament facilitates media access and reporting of its proceedings, it ensures that the chamber as a working environment for Members and officials is maintained, as well as the privacy of members and visitors to the Maota Fono is respected.
The below guidelines are issued by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. They apply to all media personnel who enter the Parliament. The guidelines set forth by the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly are mandated by the Legislative Powers and Privileges Ordinance, 1960, and S.O 176 and 187(2).
01. Main Chamber & Media
See Guidelines
Members of the Media are allowed to be present at the Media Gallery for note-taking ONLY
Taking photographs either by camera, mobile phone or any other device is strictly prohibited except for the officials of Parliament
Due to limited seats available in the Media Gallery only ONE media representative from each organization is allowed inside at any one time unless space permits
Movement in and out of the Parliament Chambers should be restricted to sitting breaks only
All journalists who wish to be present at the Media Gallery should be seated 10 minutes before Parliament sitting resumes
Food and drinks are strictly prohibited
Any other type of recording devices are prohibited in the Chamber
No leaning on or over the railings
All camera still photos will be made available to the media at the conclusion of every sitting either by electronic transfer (usage of individual flash-drive) or download from the official ParliamentofSamoa Facebook page
02. Film & Audio
See Guideline
There shall be no filming in the Chamber when Parliament sits except for the official filming undertaken by Parliament officials
All media organizations may have access to Parliaments’ live feed by plugging into its system through portals provided outside of the Maota Fono.There shall be no filming in the Chamber when Parliament sits except for the official filming undertaken by Parliament officials
03. Interviews conducted in parliament precinct
See Guideline
Interviews of Members are to be conducted ONLY upon the Member’s approval
All sides outside the Maota Fono are permitted for interviews except the designated areas in which Members have their meals.
Where interviews have been approved by the Member, interviews immediately after the front entrance outside of the Maota Fono are permitted (ensuring that access to and from the building remains clear.
04. When there is no Parliament Sitting
Member’s interviews conducted on Parliament precinct when there is no sitting are to be referred to the Speaker for his/her approval.
04. Broadcasting Service
Parliament’s I.T Unit provides a broadcast service for webcast which media representatives are welcome to use. The I.T Unit films in the Chambers and the feed is available for rebroadcast. The Parliament proceedings are televised live on the Digital Government Channel and also streamed live on the Parliament’s official Facebook page as well as audio live on 2AP.
04. Suspension
Any breach of the Parliamentary media guidelines will lead to the suspension of that media organization from Parliament sitting and/or events for a period determined by the Speaker.