PUBLIC officials have been urged to exercise caution when engaging with the media following concerns over off -the-record recordings being admitted as evidence in recent court proceedings.
Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya said the case remains before the courts but highlighted the importance of trust and clarity in the media interactions.
“That case, I believe, is still ongoing in court, I will not be able to comment on the content of the case, but I will respect the ruling of the court in allowing the evidence to be admitted in the case. So, I respect the decision of the court in that sense,” she said.
“Yes, I believe we will all be on our guard now in terms of interviews that are taken off -the-record.” “When stated by a journalist that something is of-the-record, we trust that it is off -the-record.”
She stressed that members of Parliament and public officials must clearly communicate what is for public record.
“I believe it is just upon members of Parliament and public officials to exercise caution in giving interviews that if something wishes to be put in public record, then we need to communicate that as well to media officers that it is for the public record. “So that is something we will be discussing as well amongst us, as well as our media liaison officers who are usually present when ministers and public officials are interviewed.” “It’s not about hiding any information, it’s just about what is truthful as well as what is given out so that we can communicate effectively with the public, and that’s
so important.”
She also explained the significance of off -the-record discussions.
“The three words of-the-record is a code between an interviewer and an interviewee, and something that usually, even for me, it would be a discussion that is had before we have an actual interview so that I, as a public official, understand why this interview is happening and what are the specific questions that you ask of us as media personnel.”
“So, it is a very important relationship, it’s a vital relationship in order to uphold democracy, that there is trust between public officials and the media.”
