HOLYROOD’S Presiding Officer has responded after backlash from journalists over new restrictions.
Last week, Holyrood officials introduced a so-called “media pen” that restricted reporters’ movements in the members’ lobby, a place between the main chamber and the access to the ministerial tower and garden lobby.
Journalists often wait in the members’ lobby as MSPs come out of the chamber following FMQs to question, or “doorstep”, them.
The parliamentary bureau said it decided to set up a designated spot for the media after “feedback from a range of building users and discussions with all parties”.
However, it has sparked a row over transparency and has been condemned by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well as Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems.
The Scottish Parliamentary Journalists’ Association (SPJA), the group which represents reporters at Holyrood, said it was not consulted on the decision.
In a letter to the Presiding Officer and the chief executive of the Parliament, it warned the move “creates a physical and symbolic barrier between elected representatives and those tasked with holding them to account”.
Now, the Presiding Officer and the chief executive have responded, telling PA that the pen is temporary and that the decision was made after “concerns raised from MSPs, staff and other building users” who have found media huddles “difficult” and “intimidating” at times.
“As an employer, the SPCB has a duty to ensure safe and orderly conduct within the building, and to ensure that no-one feels unsafe, intimidated or harassed in their place of work,” they said.
“It’s within this context that the decision was taken to reintroduce the media pen on a temporary basis. As you will recall, this designated media pen was utilised before when similar pressures were experienced in that same confined area.”
The pair added: “At its first time of use there was discussion between parliament officials and the SPJA to map out the designated area and permanent floor markings were subsequently added to make clear the final configuration. This was the same configuration that was reintroduced last week on a temporary basis.
“The pen will remain in use this week, for a very short period following FMQs on Tuesday and Thursday. Thereafter we have asked officials from the Parliament Communications Office to work with you over summer to ensure that all those who call Holyrood their place of work can successfully undertake their jobs in this shared space.”
The response went on: “It is in all our interests to engage with this process and to reach a shared understanding around how robust scrutiny can be successfully facilitated in a safe, responsible and respectful way.”
