Sweeping Changes To Media Protocols

NASSU, BAHAMAS – New guidelines introduced for journalists seeking to interview the prime minister and members of his cabinet.

Amid pushback to a document, outlining how many journalists can receive media accreditation and when they can conduct interviews, officials say it is subject to change. Kyle Walkine takes a look.

Consider it a move to avoid moments like this.

Or this moment on Tuesday where you can see Prime Minister Davis turning down a reporter with questions in the background.

But often, you’d find that some ministers aren’t so excited to see journalists or take questions.

There are new rules for members of the press when seeking to get information from the prime minister or cabinet ministers.

A leaked document sent to newsroom heads shows.

Absolutely no interviews should take place while the prime minister or a cabinet minister is attending an event, unless pre-approved by the office of the press secretary or the minister.

Random cabinet office interviews will be discontinued and replaced with a structured cabinet press briefing at the briefing room at OPM.

Reporters requesting specific responses to issues should communicate with the press secretary’s office by 6pm the latest the night before the briefing.

Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Clint Watson has been on the job for two weeks now- advising reporters how many questions they’re allowed to ask before an interview.

And cutting it short when it’s time to get the prime minister going.

But the role of press secretary didn’t necessarily work out for the last government…

After just a few months the press never really heard from former Press Secretary Ace Newbold again.

And the quarterly press briefings promised by the former prime minister- well, that never happened.

And now with a new government, according to this guideline, there will be two press briefings per week – Mondays and Wednesdays.

The prime minister will appear at briefings monthly or in the event of a national crisis, unless otherwise indicated.

Only accredited journalists will be permitted and you must be dressed in business attire.

Also something reporters are to keep in mind, according to this new guideline, a press officer will indicate the final question toward the end of the briefing and no further questions should be asked thereafter.

Kind of like what happened Wednesday during the Davis’ press conference…

According to the press secretary, the document was not supposed to go out to the public and is subject to change.

For Our News, I’m Kyle Walkine.