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Media Handbook (June 2009)1. Introduction and Code of Conduct2. Media Passes & General Information Information for Blue Day Pass Holders and Blue Regular Photo Passes 3. Interviews With MLAs and Others4. Broadcast Services Facilities 5. Facilities Induction Loops 6. Useful information and Contact Numbers Door opening and closing times IntroductionOne of the hallmarks of democracy is the public’s right to access clear, regular and independent information. In recognition of this, the Northern Ireland Assembly supports the work of the media, provides workspace and facilitates access within Parliament Buildings. The Assembly’s Communications Office has a dedicated team to provide support and information to the media in order to facilitate their work. They can be contacted by visiting Room B4 or calling 028 9052 1137Code of ConductParliament Buildings is a working environment. Accredited journalists should treat MLAs and Secretariat staff with due courtesy and consideration and conduct themselves appropriately. Accredited journalists should observe agreed Assembly regulations about areas that are out-of-bounds and other agreed conventions. Impromptu ‘door-stepping’ interviews on camera or on tape are not acceptable. Accredited journalists should not act as paid or unpaid lobbyists for any individual or organisation that might seek to influence the political process or benefit from inside knowledge of it. Accredited journalists should not approach MLAs, civil servants, party officials or Assembly Secretariat staff to seek information for such individuals or organisations or to represent their views. .NB: Alleged breaches of this code will be notified to the accredited journalist’s editor or head of news and to the NI Assembly Commission. The Commission may enforce a penalty including the withdrawal of media accreditation .The Assembly Correspondents GroupThe Assembly Correspondents Group is made up of members of the media who are primarily based in Parliament Buildings and who mainly report on the business of the Assembly. Membership is limited to 15 members, who are nominated by the NI Assembly Communications Office. Members of the Assembly Correspondents Group have greater access within Parliament Buildings. Media Passes & General InformationSecurity is the responsibility of all pass-holders. Media passes must be worn and displayed at all times in Parliament Buildings. Those not wearing their pass can expect to be challenged by any pass-holder to provide identification. There are three categories of media pass:
(More information for Blue Regular photograph pass holders is on page 3–4).
(More information for Red Enhanced photograph pass holders is on pages 4–6). NB: Security requirements take precedence and access arrangements may be redefined at any time to meet specific security needs. Health and safety guidance must be observed at all times.Shared workplaceParliament Buildings is a workplace. Media equipment must not impede anyone’s access into or around the building. Common work areas like kitchens and photocopying rooms are for MLAs, party staff and Assembly Secretariat staff only. Members of the media are allowed access to certain corridors (dependent on the type of pass held) but they must not film, photograph or record there without prior arrangement with the Communications Office, unless otherwise stated within this Handbook. Accessing MLAs’ OfficesMLA, party staff and Assembly Secretariat staff offices are private. No member of the media may open the door of or enter an office unless accompanied by an MLA, party staff member or member of the Assembly Secretariat staff who is authorised to enter that particular office. Information for Blue Day Pass Holders and Blue Regular Pass HoldersWhere can I go?
Where can I not go?
Where can I record without pre-arranged support from the Communications Office?
Where can I record with pre-arranged support from the Communications Office?
Where can I not record?
Information for Red Assembly Correspondent Pass HoldersWhere can I go?
Where can I not go?
Where can I record without pre-arranged support from the Communications Office?Great Hall
Senate Chamber
Long Gallery
MLAs’ Offices
Miscellaneous
Where can I record with pre-arranged support from the Communications Office?Committee Rooms
Where can I not record?
Escort rightsMembers of the Assembly Correspondents Group do not have to be escorted in the areas they have access to while in Parliament Buildings. In addition, they have escort rights, which means that they can escort up to five visitors in the public areas of the basement, ground and first floor. Journalists wanting to escort visitors beyond these areas should contact the Communications Office. Visitors must be escorted at all times while beyond the Great Hall. NB: Leaving escorted visitors unattended breaches security guidance and can result in the removal of escort rights. Interviews with MLAs and OthersMembers of the media who want to make contact with MLAs in the Chamber should contact the Communications Office in Room B4 or use the contact numbers on page 10. Interviews with MLAs can be conducted in the Press Conference Suite or in the Great Hall. For Assembly Correspondents, additional locations may be used as described above. However as the Great Hall is a public area, the media have no control over any other business, traffic or noise levels. The Press Conference Suite is available for interviews requiring studio-type recording facilities. Contact the Communications Office for information. Other than MLAs, interviews are allowed in the Great Hall with Committee meeting witnesses and members of other legislatures. Elected representatives must not be interviewed in Parliament Buildings for the purpose of canvassing during an election period. NB: Witnesses must not be interviewed outside Committee rooms. Interviewees must give their consent in advance before filming.Interviews with other individuals may be permitted by prior request. Contact the Communications Office for more information. Broadcasting ServicesFacilitiesThe facilities listed below are described collectively as the Media Facilities. They are located in the basement of Parliament Buildings. They include:
ServicesThe Communications Office provides a range of information to the media. This includes the weekly business diary, order papers and indicative timings, Weekly Answer Booklets, Weekly Information Bulletins, research papers, Bills and Acts of the Assembly, the Official Report and the online service which provides up-to-date information on the Assembly’s business. Office space within the media facilities should be as clear and paper-free as possible. The Communications Office is available to provide practical support and help with this.Technical servicesThe Assembly Broadcasting team provides the sound and vision feeds of the proceedings in the Assembly Chamber. The rules to which Assembly Broadcasting must adhere in respect of the television coverage of the proceedings are available from the Communications Office on request. Sound and vision output from the Assembly Chamber is provided to the media as described below. Live vision and sound feeds, in various formats, of the proceedings in the Chamber are fed to various points in the Media Facilities/Press Room. Those seeking to use these should contact the Communications Office. Assembly proceedings are distributed throughout Parliament Buildings on the internal TV system. Broadcast recordings of the proceedings can be made available by request. Video and audio files suitable for Non Linear Editing systems (NLE) can also be provided during a sitting. Domestic DVDs are available at the end of Assembly business. It is important to note that this is not broadcast quality. Footage can be ordered from the Communications Office on 028 9052 1884. Power points, telephones, WiFi and ISDN are provided in the Press Room and in all of the studios. Contact the Communications Office to arrange a 24-hour guest account. FacilitiesInduction LoopsMost of the public areas in Parliament Buildings, including the Assembly Chamber the Great Hall and the Committee Rooms, are fitted with induction loops. Users can avail of this facility by switching their hearing aid to 'T'. Assisted AccessWheelchair access is available at the East and West Doors RestroomsRestrooms are on the Ground Floor (near the front door) and in the basement (next to the Blue Flax restaurant). CateringRefreshments are available in the Blue Flax restaurant and the Press Bar, which are both in the basement. The Press Bar is open to members of the Media, MLAs, party staff, and Assembly Secretariat staff. Refreshments are also available in the Assembly Gift Shop. Catering services are available in the Blue Flax restaurant until 7pm on Monday to Friday. If Assembly business continues after 7pm (plenary sessions or committee meetings), service will be available for an additional 30 minutes after completion of business. NB: Members of the media are asked to respect the fact that catering facilities within Parliament Buildings are social areas. Therefore, comments made by an MLA, party staff and Assembly Secretariat staff are ‘off the record’ unless specifically indicated otherwise, and in advance. Members of the media who wish to discuss business matters with MLAs are encouraged to clarify whether they would prefer to meet elsewhere by arrangement. ParkingMembers of the media can park in the Visitors’ Car Park, or in the designated areas on Prince of Wales Avenue or Massey Avenue. By arrangement with the Communications Office, members of the media can drop equipment off at Parliament Buildings, and subsequently park in the Visitors Car Park. SmokingParliament Buildings is a no smoking area. There is a designated smoking area in the courtyard accessible from the basement. Useful Information and Contact NumbersDoor Opening and Closing TimesMain Front Door - Monday to Friday from 7.45am to 10.30pm and at other times by special arrangement (opening times may vary during recess ). East Door (nearest the car park) – Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 10.30pm, (opening times may vary during recess). West Door – Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 10.30pm, (opening times may vary during recess). CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Essential Health & Safety InformationIn the event of an evacuation please exit the building via the nearest exit unless directed otherwise. Assemble at the bottom of the front steps until it is safe to return to the building. If you require first aid assistance, or to report an accident, please contact the Health & Safety Office (B10) on 9052 5932 or the front reception on 9052 1990. This handbook is also available in pdf format
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