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Decoded: Why was the media locked in glass enclosures in Parliament? | Politics News

Decoded: Why was the media locked in glass enclosures in Parliament? | Politics News

Media personnel were stopped from entering the main entrance of the parliament, the ‘Makar Dwar’, on Monday. In response, they boycotted interviews with all members of parliament

Parliament, New Parliament
New Delhi: A view of the Parliament building complex on the eve of the budget session, in New Delhi, Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo: PTI)

Nisha Anand New Delhi

On Monday, a fresh row broke out during the ongoing monsoon session of parliament after new rules were imposed on the movement of media persons on the premises. Journalists were asked to remain confined in a glass enclosure inside the complex, as per the new rules.

After the media personnel were stopped by security guards from approaching the main entrance of the parliament, the ‘Makar Dwar’, they decided not to communicate with the MPs as a protest. The restrictions were lifted a few hours later.

The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, termed the new rules as the Centre’s “lockdown” of media persons and targeted the Narendra Modi government for “curbing” press freedom. During his speech to the Lok Sabha on the Budget 2024, Gandhi had urged Speaker Om Birla to lift the restrictions.

“Ye sab bechare…media wale hai sir…unhone mujhse kaha hai ki aapse (speaker) hath jodte hai…unko nikalne do (the poor media man has told me to request you with folded hands to remove the new curbs),” Gandhi said, concluding his address in Parliament.

What led to a change in the rules regarding media movements?

A senior source close to the matter explained that the new rules for media persons were imposed following complaints from several MPs about crowding at the ‘Makar Dwar’ where journalists often nabbed lawmakers for short remarks. The journalists were told to leave the entrance of the parliament and collect soundbites from leaders while they were at their designated spots.

As the row escalated, Birla spoke to journalists on the issue and assured them of proper facilities on the ground to carry out their duties. He lifted the restrictions and added that the system of issuing annual passes, halted during the Covid-9 pandemic, would be considered.

Which areas in the parliament building had restricted access?

The new rules meant that, as before, journalists could not communicate with lawmakers at the entrances and exits of the new parliament building.

The old parliament also had similar fences for media personnel, but restrictions on interviewing lawmakers were generally not strictly enforced. The fences applied mainly to TV cameramen.

The new rules cordoned off the main entrance to Parliament building, in addition to existing restrictions on movement around the Prime Minister’s Office and the offices of the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

Restrictions on media workers in the pandemic era

According to the Editors’ Guild of India, nearly 1,000 journalists from print and electronic media were accredited to cover the proceedings of Parliament. However, pandemic-related restrictions limited the number of journalists allowed on the premises.

Earlier this month, the guild had urged Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to lift these pandemic-era restrictions as only a “fraction” of media persons are currently allowed access, The Indian Express reported.