The Parliament of Guyana has issued a statement regarding recent concerns raised by certain media groups about access to proceedings in the National Assembly. Notably, it has come to light that there were instances when private media seats went unoccupied for several hours, despite claims of a pressing need for more seating.
The Parliament reaffirmed that seating for private media has been expanded and highlighted the availability of an additional designated media area on the ground floor of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where there is no limit on the number of accredited media representatives. This section also provides access to a live feed of the proceedings.
In response to public statements from A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and other organizations regarding media access, Parliament clarified that there has been no restriction on media access to parliamentary proceedings, maintaining that transparency is fundamental to the operations of the Thirteenth Parliament.
Continuous livestream coverage of National Assembly sittings has been available on the official Parliament of Guyana website, Facebook, and YouTube platforms, with no interruptions to this service. It was noted that only three members of the private media were observed in the Parliamentary Dome at various times, aligning with a rotational arrangement agreed upon with the Guyana Press Association to ensure fair access.
Currently, five journalists and two photographers from the private media are permitted in the Parliamentary Dome during sittings, excluding state media entities such as the National Communications Network (NCN). To enhance flexibility, the Parliament has increased the allocation from five to seven private media representatives.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) continues to offer comprehensive coverage of parliamentary sessions, consistent with established practices. Previous arrangements during the Twelfth Parliament also provided similar access for media representatives, including a live feed available on the ground floor of the ACCC.
Before the Budget Speeches, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Manzoor Nadir, emphasized the commitment to ensuring media access to the National Assembly. He reiterated the rules governing conduct within the Chamber, which prohibit visitors from cheering, recording videos, or disrupting proceedings to maintain dignity and order.
The Parliament of Guyana reiterated its dedication to transparency and press access while balancing these principles with the need to maintain order, security, and the dignity of the National Assembly, referred to as the People’s House.
