PARLIAMENT is setting up a press gallery to help reporters effectively cover proceedings of parliament.
Director of Parliament Media Joy Angi revealed this at the end of a three-day workshop her department organised for the media to learn about parliament, its processes, and procedures.
The press gallery will be equipped with a phone and internet to allow reporters to do their stories from parliament while it is in session.
“We feel it is important for media workers to have their own workspace inside parliament,” Ms Angi said.
“That way it would be easy for them to file stories from Parliament, rather than go back to their respective offices to try and meet their daily news deadlines,” she added.
Ms Angi revealed that work on the allocated room inside Parliament House is nearing completion, with only the phone and internet lines yet to be set up before it is ready for use.
She added they are working toward getting the press gallery ready before the opening of the 10th Parliament.
“We want our media personnel to work in their designated workplace as soon as the 10th Parliament begins,” she said.
Ms Angi said the move is part of a strategy to again, build and strengthen the network, cooperation, understanding, and relationship between media outlets and the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.
Press galleries are part of most parliaments overseas because of the important role the media provides in transmitting news to the people.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
