ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Secretariat has banned journalists from video recording within Parliament House following lawmakers’ concerns about journalists recording interviews and statements without consent, which were subsequently posted on social media. Parliament slapped this ban two days after Donald Trump’s victory in the US Presidential election.
Journalists working in Parliament often approach Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) after assembly sessions and committee meetings to gather their views on various national and international matters.
The interactions are frequently recorded on mobile devices in the corridors, with journalists posing direct or challenging questions that may not always favor the ruling parties. While this content is used for mainstream media, journalists also share it on social media platforms.
In response to growing concerns over this practice, the National Assembly Secretariat has officially banned all video recording inside Parliament House.
In a letter to the Parliamentary Reporters Association, the Director General of Media for the National Assembly noted that, during the 10th session, it was observed that some journalists recorded conversations with members in the corridors without prior consent, later posting these videos online.
The letter also stated that members of parliament had raised significant concerns and dissatisfaction regarding these unapproved recordings, prompting them to bring the matter to the attention of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
