New Zealand public broadcaster’s political editor suspended from Parliament after breaching press rules
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The Beehive, the executive wing (left) of the parliamentary complex in New Zealand. TVNZ's political editor allegedly followed a minister into an area where interviews were not allowed.
PHOTO: PEXELS
WELLINGTON – The political editor for New Zealand public broadcaster TVNZ has been banned from covering Parliament for five days after breaching press gallery rules, Speaker Gerry Brownlee said on April 30.
Ms Maiki Sherman’s recent conduct when attempting to secure an interview “went beyond the prescription and spirit of the rules that had previously been agreed by the press gallery and Parliament”, Mr Brownlee said in a statement.
“Ms Sherman, the TVNZ political editor, has informed me that it was not her intention to go beyond the rules, but accepts that she did, and has also accepted the decision on this matter,” he said.
“Other outlets also breached parliamentary rules as they pursued a story relating to the National Party caucus activities on April 21.”
The ban will run from May 1 to May 6, Mr Brownlee added.
Mr Simeon Brown, a minister from the centre-right ruling National Party, alleged in a social media post on X that TVNZ staff followed the party’s chief whip Stuart Smith into an area where interviews were not allowed without permission, and “aggressively banged on his door for several minutes”.
Ms Sherman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. REUTERS
