Even though he filed a breach of privilege complaint against a NET TV cameraman and reporter because they followed him as he entered the parliamentary chamber last Wednesday, Opposition Whip Joe Mizzi said neither he nor any PL MPs object to the media’s presence during parliamentary sittings.

“The PL has always been in favour of allowing the media to report, film or take pictures during parliamentary debates – on the condition, however, that the media asks for permission before doing so. It has always been the PN who has been against having the media in the parliamentary chamber.

“I raised the breach of privilege last week because I honestly felt threatened by the TV cameraman in question, who refused to leave me alone despite my polite and repeated requests for him to do so.

“As far as I was concerned, he was acting above parliamentary authority, which is unacceptable, and I was infuriated by his behaviour, to the extent that I have no idea what the reporter’s questions were.

“I had no problems with the latter’s behaviour, who excused himself in the confusion and said he did not know the exact procedure for asking questions because it was his first time in Parliament. But as he left, the cameraman stayed behind, continuing with his harassment, which is why I raised a breach of privilege complaint soon after,” Mr Mizzi said.

The MP added, however, that the media should be allocated a specific time and place for asking MPs questions – and this should not be as MPs are entering or leaving the Presidential Palace.

“When the media does this, MPs often feel harassed or threatened,” said Mr Mizzi.

Government whip David Agius agreed with Mr Mizzi, even suggesting that the media should have its own room in Parliament to film, interview and take pictures of MPs, but only on condition, he said – reiterating Mr Mizzi’s words – that they ask for permission beforehand.

“If no room is provided, then the media should at least be allocated a permanent area in which they can ask questions and film MPs. However, it should be made a rule that all 69 MPs have the right not to answer questions, should they wish,” said Mr Agius.

Contradicting Mr Mizzi, he added that the government has never been against the media, or banned it from entering the parliamentary chamber. What MPs totally objected to, he said, was “having reporters and cameramen continuously following us around as we leave the Presidential Palace in Valletta, shoving microphones in our faces, and only stopping harassing and hassling us once we get into our cars. But even as they film us getting into our cars, we feel an invasion of privacy that goes against our basic human rights.”