9 May 1994

Doc. 7086

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on parliaments and the media

presented by Mr CALDORO and others 1

1.       Parliamentarians are accountable to the citizens for their legislative work. Consequently citizens' information about parliamentary activities is essential for the good functioning of democracy.

2.       The distribution network of the information provided directly by national parliaments in Europe reaches a minority of citizens.

3.       The public's attendance at plenary parliamentary sessions is limited.

4.       Parliamentary committee meetings are not open to the public in many countries.

5.       Moreover the coverage of parliamentary activities by the media is insufficient.

6.       Therefore the Assembly proposes that national parliaments:

i.       review their own ways and means of keeping the public informed about their activities in order to achieve a better communication policy;

ii.       consider their relations with the media with a view to promoting a better coverage of their activities for the benefit of citizens.

Signed:

Caldoro, Masseret, Amaral, Roman, Seitlinger,

Seeuws, Colombier, Bugli, Kuriscak, Toivonen, Bachna

1 ¹ 1. This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.