The Office of Parliament has noted media reports purporting that the Speaker of Parliament is seeking to gag the media.
The Office would like to put on record that at no time either in his capacity as Speaker or in his personal capacity has Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye sought to prevent the media from doing its work.
This allegation follows events from the Chamber on Tuesday 26/02/2020 during which concerns were raised about the media leaving the chamber during the deliberations by Members in the House.
In fact, proceedings from the Chamber centred on the need for Members of the Corps to remain in the chamber while proceedings were ongoing to ensure that they had a full account of the event as they unfolded.
The Speaker, in his directive, referred to the primary reason for which members of the media are accredited to report from the House and urged them to focus on same.
The Speaker further stated that members of the media wanting to secure interviews from Parliamentarians could do that before or after sittings to enable them to remain in the chamber during proceedings.
He further asked both sides of the House to desist from asking the media for speaking opportunities when the House is sitting.
Parliament recognises the critical role of the media and the Speaker made reference to same when he spoke about the high regard with which he holds the media’s work.
Both Leaders referred to the need for a dutiful media and the need for the media to remain in the Chamber while the House is still in session.
Parliament, the Speaker, leaders and the entire Membership of the House remain committed to the ideals of a free media and freedom of speech as provided for in Chapter 12 of the 1992 Constitution and will not do anything to jeopardise this.
Kate Addo
Director Public Affairs
