Media houses refusing to submit questions ahead of Premier’s press briefing
According to the press advisory sent out today, October 25, 2022, Premier Wheatley (R7) will have a LIVE press conference to report on his recent trip to Montserrat for the 72nd Meeting of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Authority and provide an update on other current matters.
It said the Premier will also be joined by Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5).
Controversial request
Among other things, reporters were asked to “Submit questions in advance by noon on Wednesday, October 26 to gis@gov.vg with the subject Enquiry for Premier's Press Briefing - 28 October.”
Several media houses have reportedly already expressed to the Chief Information Officer in the Department of Information and Public Relations, Desiree Smith, they will not be complying with such a request.
Ms Smith did not respond to our request for comment.
Request is to give public ‘accurate’ info- Premier Wheatley
Premier Wheatley; however, told our newsroom he was the one behind the controversial policy, “For the purpose of gathering the information that has been requested at press conferences from reporters and for the purpose of giving the public accurate information, I am humbly requesting that questions be submitted in advance,” Dr Wheatley stated.
Some reporters; nevertheless, have cited the request as, unethical, inappropriate and a form of media control.
The request is also a similar one made way back in 2007 by the then Premier Hon Ralph T. O’Neal OBE.
The policy; however, was challenged vigorously by local journalists and subsequently scrapped.
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15 Responses to “Media houses refusing to submit questions ahead of Premier’s press briefing”
We stand we the media, and suggest bringing a PS who knows the technical ins and out.
And when he says he needs to research, you denigrate him still.
The only thing the Premier should control is the subjects/topics if the lress conference. Media should be given information on what topics are meant to be addressed and that all questions must be on topic or wont be addressed. To get questions in advance defeats the purpose of a press conference, might as well do a press release instead if you want that level of control. This is the big boy league, level up or get the @$^&* out!