The National Assembly Secretariat has enforced a ban on video recordings within Parliament House following complaints from lawmakers about journalists capturing interviews and statements without prior consent, which are subsequently shared on social media.
Journalists regularly engage with Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in the corridors after assembly sessions, often posing challenging questions about domestic and international matters. These exchanges are sometimes recorded on mobile phones and later posted online, prompting privacy concerns among lawmakers.
The Director General of Media for the National Assembly addressed the issue in a letter to the Parliamentary Reporters Association, explaining that during recent sessions, journalists had been observed recording interactions without consent. This led to significant concerns from MNAs, who raised the matter with the Speaker. The Secretariat’s new directive aims to restrict such recordings, safeguarding privacy within the legislative building.