CLERK to the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, Taeasi Sanga has encouraged media personnel to learn, master and make the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament their “best friend” to help them when reporting on parliament.
Mrs Sanga highlighted this at the close of a three-day workshop for media personnel last Friday.
She said there is a great need for the media to learn about the Constitution and the Standing Orders of Parliament, especially when reporting on parliament meetings and Committee hearings.
“It is important that as media personnel, you know the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament, familiarise yourself with the procedures of Parliament so that your reports can be accurate,” she told reporters.
“It is also important that ajournalist familiarises him or herself with the various sections in the Standing Orders and Constitution so that whenever an MP speaks or misquotes a section, the journalist can always double-check the sections quoted, and not report the misquotes which so often occurred during sittings.”
Parliament provided each of the participants with a copy of the constitution and Parliament Standing Orders.
She said that with better understanding of the Constitution and Standing Orders of Parliament, journalists can better understand their roles as Parliament reporters.
Eighteen representatives from the mainstream media, NGOs and ministries attended the workshop.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
