The country's political reporters are in a stand-off with the Speaker Gerry Brownlee over his contemplation of a temporary ban of Stuff Digital from Parliament.
Brownlee is set to make a ruling on Stuff's access to the Parliamentary precinct after raising concerns about some of its reporting last month.
The story that prompted the Speaker's ire related to Social Development Minister Louise Upston claiming an accommodation allowance of $1000 per week — which she is entitled to — to live in her Wellington apartment.
As part of that reporting, a Stuff camera operator took footage of Upston from what are known as Parliament's "black and white tiles", toward a corridor the minister was walking through.
A screenshot of that footage was used as a still photo in Stuff's reporting on Upston and her allowance.
The camera operator and Stuff's political editor then filmed and attempted to interview Upston in another area, near Copperfields cafe in the Beehive. She declined to comment.
The Press Gallery rules dictate where reporters can and cannot film or interview MPs. In both of these areas — the tiles, and outside Copperfields — filming is permitted.
Brownlee: Press Gallery reaction 'bit over the top'
In an interview with RNZ, Brownlee said it was his position that Stuff had breached Parliament's rules.
"My conclusion is that a long range photograph taken... through the Grand Hall into a corridor that is not for general filming, is just a bit bit too far."
He confirmed he was considering a "censure" or "slight suspension", but said no decisions had yet been made.
Brownlee said he would meet with the "offended editors" when Parliament resumed in two weeks' time.
"Look, they've got a right to protect their corner, I suppose, but I think it's a little bit over the top," he said.
"We'll talk it through, but in the end... there's also got to be a balance between the rights of journalists to interview and film inside the place with the ability for members to make some of their own choices about what they do and don't participate in."
Brownlee said he strongly supported the role of the press gallery as part of the fourth estate, noting that they enjoyed "considerable privilege" in regards to their access to MPs.
"Overall there's been, I think, just a little bit of a slipping of standards across the gallery, and you can see that with other incidents in recent times."
Brownlee said no formal complaints had been laid with him: "I saw the photograph and thought that was not too tidy, and then decided to follow up."
Press Gallery warns against 'dramatic reduction in access'
In a formal letter addressed to the Speaker, the Press Gallery executive and political editors raised alarm that his interpretation of the rules would amount to "a dramatic reduction in access" and raised concern about media freedom.
"We are naturally concerned by any attempt to reduce the Press Gallery's rights and access, as has happened incrementally over the years.
"If any MP has concerns about the editorial content of a story, that should be dealt with through the usual channels for complaints, rather than by seeking to curtail our access to Parliament.
"We ask you to reconsider your decision, in the interests of 'supporting the transparency and openness of New Zealand's system of representative democracy' per the press gallery's rules."
Upston, who is also Leader of the House, told RNZ she had sought clarity on the rules from the Speaker, but did not lodge a formal complaint.
Stuff has been approached for comment.
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