TV3 calls parliamentary rules on filming of MPs 'arcane'

TV3 has been banned from filming Parliament's debating chamber for three days as punishment for screening footage of New Zealand First MP Ron Mark giving a one-fingered salute to the National Party.

TV3 yesterday said the rules were arcane and it was time they were changed.

"We were only showing what would have been observed by members of the public if they had been sitting in the public gallery on that day," TV3 director of news and current affairs Mark Jennings said.

"Politicians behaving badly is a news story and the public have a right to see what is really going on in the debating chamber."

It is the second time in recent months TV3 has contravened regulations which allow broadcasters to film only an MP who is speaking. Imposing her penalty, Speaker Margaret Wilson said TV3's airing of the footage was a serious and premeditated flouting of the rules.

"On both occasions TV3 admitted it had breached the rules and on both occasions it talked of its belief that there was a more liberal interpretation of the rules in place. That argument was not accepted last year and I do not accept it now."

TV3 was given a week-long ban last year after it screened footage of Social Development and Environment Minister David Benson Pope sleeping in the House.

Paul Norris, head of Christchurch Polytechnic's School of Broadcasting, said TV3 was clearly in breach if one went by the letter of the rules.

"Theoretically you're not supposed to be seeing anybody other than the person speaking, which clearly doesn't tell the full picture some of the time, so you could say the law is something of an ass."

If cameras were viewed as being in Parliament as representatives of the public, there was a lot of weight to the argument they should be able to film the whole debating chamber, he said.

The day after making the gesture, Mr Mark unreservedly apologised if he had caused offence and brought the House into disrepute.

Ms Wilson said her punishment of TV3 should in no way be seen as condoning Mr Mark's actions.

"The behaviour of most members most of the time is consistent with the standard of conduct the public expects from MPs. Unfortunately, by concentrating on gestures such as that by Mr Mark they leave the viewer with a very poor opinion of all members."