Polish media outlets refuse to cover parliament for closing door on themDecember 16, 2016 - 16:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - More than twenty Polish media outlets including two major dailies refused to cover parliament Friday, December 16 to protest planned restriction of their work there, AFP reports. The planned new rules grant access to parliament's press gallery to only two journalists per outlet and ban them from shooting still pictures or video. The restrictions therefore prevent the media from recording images of lawmakers when they break the rules, for example by voting for an absent colleague. The only video images available will be provided by the parliament's official video service. The new system makes journalists work at a press centre situated in another building, limiting their access to lawmakers. The ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party said the measure sought to guarantee a comfortable work environment to both lawmakers and journalists. "It's definitely not meant to reduce transparency," said PiS lawmaker Arkadiusz Mularczyk. Those joining Friday's media boycott included big dailies Gazeta Wyborcza and Rzeczpospolita, as well as two large private radio channels. Several dozen journalists, including big names, rallied outside the parliament building on Thursday. In a letter, they asked the speakers of both parliamentary chambers to drop the planned measure. "It will only allow politicians to steer clear of journalists easily," the letter says. Photo: AFP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |