21. ACCESS BY THE PRESS TO THE PLENARY AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS

(from "Chairman's Report of the Forty-Ninth Annual Meeting")


At the 48th Annual Meeting the Finance and Administration Committee recommended that the Commission adopt a Danish proposal to offer the press an equal standard of attendance as the NGOs currently enjoy, including access to meeting rooms and relevant IWC documentation (subject to practical and logistical considerations and noting that the present Rules of Conduct for Observers prohibit the entry and use of recording equipment). However, Plenary discussion resulted in the matter being referred back to the Committee.

Denmark reviewed last year's discussion and modified its proposal by specifying that the press should have the same access as NGOs contingent upon payment of the NGO fee. The proposal sparked a spirited discussion, with all delegations agreeing in principle that the press should be more involved in IWC meetings. The USA asked whether in allowing the press access to meetings, all documents would then become public immediately. The Secretariat replied that the Rules of Conduct for Observers, which prohibit the leaking of documents, would be in operation for the press as well. Questions were asked about the credentials to be required of reporters, the price they should pay for admittance, possible logistical difficulties and the need to distinguish between bona fide news media and PR personnel. After a number of delegations argued for unfettered press access, the Chairman concluded that the Finance and Administration Committee would recommend to the Commission that the press be allowed access to the next meeting, on the same basis as NGOs and be given access to documents; he noted that there seemed to be support for the Secretary's suggestion that they be charged a nominal fee approximately equal to the costs of producing the documents they require. The Commission should review the matter in the light of experience at its next meeting.

The Commission agreed to this arrangement, and the Secretary will revise the Rules of Conduct for Observers to take account of this decision.

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