European Parliament to allow (some) filming
Some time ago, Austrian MEP invited a film crew into the European Parliament to film MEPs signing the register for theire daily expenses. And then buggering off home.
Parliament rushed into action, demanding the right to restict access to journalists and to seize tapes and other equipment so that no-one else will catch MEPs abusing the expenses system.
Now, according to European Voice, the MEPs have backed down… slightly.
The assembly’s leadership has dropped a controversial proposal which would have allowed security staff to seize the tapes and other equipment of TV crews that breach rules governing their activities in the Parliament.
But journalists’ organisations and MEPs are objecting to a new proposal which would give the quaestors, the body responsible for supervising the business of MEPs, the right to designate areas where filming is banned. Another amendment states that: “Film cameramen and photographers shall have due regard to the personal dignity and privacy of all individuals present within the buildings.”
According to Michael Stabenow, chairman of the Association de la Presse Internationale (API):
The proposals have been watered down but these remain draconian measures which are unjustified and totally unacceptable. We object to the quaestors having the right to say where people can film because it is totally arbitrary.
If MEPs want to preserve their personal dignity, a good first step would be no not abuse the system rather than trying to prevent journalists from carrying out the essential function of ensuring that the workings of the European Parliament - and any other institution, for that matter - remain transparent.
Saturday 16 Apr 2005 | Paul | EU
