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4.1 Deputy T.M. Pitman of St. Helier of the President of the Chairmen's Committee regarding the potential scrutiny of the media by one of the Scrutiny panels:
Will the President clarify whether she intends to pursue the recommendation from the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Sub-Panel to include Scrutiny of the media on the remit of one of the Scrutiny Panels?
Deputy T.A. Vallois of St. Saviour (President of the Chairmen's Committee):
My intention will be that the recommendation in question is to be addressed by the Chairmen's Committee and that will be in our January meeting whereby we will receive the relevant papers in order to determine an appropriate way forward at that time.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Obviously I stress to the President that no one wants to restrict freedom of expression, however, given what can only be described as deliberate suppression of information such as the refusal to acknowledge that far from a reliable witness the former investigating officer, Deputy Police Chief Mr. Gradwell, would have been facing serious disciplinary action for his unprofessionalism if he had stayed in the Island. Does she realise how important it is that something is done about this, because there is a big responsibility on media to be accurate in their reporting?
Deputy T.A. Vallois:
I, myself, as one of 6 of the chairmen have looked at the report and the information behind this and I understand the concerns of the Deputy , hence the reason why I am stating that we are waiting until January to look at the information and make sure all the relevant papers are provided to each chairman so that we can determine an appropriate way to look at this and whether Scrutiny will be the best place for us to do a broadly-based review.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier of St. Saviour :
Would the chairman not accept, and hopefully persuade her co-members, that in the light of the Leveson Inquiry in fact there are some very pertinent issues being raised and that they could well be applied to the Jersey situation.
Deputy T.A. Vallois:
I recognise with the Leveson Inquiry that is going on in the U.K. (United Kingdom) at the moment there are particular issues out there with regards to holding the media to account, however, there are 3 different committees that are looking into this which are working in parallel with each other in order to determine the best way forward. We are one area - we are Scrutiny - and as a Chairmen's Committee we have to all be singing from the same hymn sheet as chairmen in order to ensure that if we should pursue this that it is an effective review and it determines the best way to take this forward.
- Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:
If the chairman was inferring or implying, that Scrutiny may not be the best way forward what way would she recommend for the most robust kind of inquiry?
Deputy T.A. Vallois:
You are really putting me on the spot. Like I say, it is something that has to be looked at in the round. Scrutiny might be, or might not be, the best way to go ahead. There is a possibility ... like in the U.K. they have a Committee of Inquiry; that may be a possible way forward but I would be more than happy to discuss with the Chief Minister whether that would be an appropriate way forward if Scrutiny cannot determine a most effective way.
- Deputy T.M. Pitman:
Again stressing the freedom of expression, does the chairman agree that possibly it should be done jointly with P.P.C. (Privileges and Procedures Committee) because there are wider issues. We only have one newspaper on the Island and we see things like faked letters, people who put themselves forward described as meddlers. There is a big issue here, so can she work as hard as she can with her colleagues to try and get this taken forward?
Deputy T.A. Vallois:
Absolutely, and I understand P.P.C. are going to look at media in the round and I would be more than happy to work with all colleagues in order to find an effective way forward.
Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade :
Sir, can I just ask, I did have my light on but I did not know if you saw it, or if I did not have time.
The Bailiff :
You are right, I did not I am afraid Deputy . No, I think it is Deputy Pitman's head. [Laughter]
Deputy T.M. Pitman:
And it is a perfectly formed head, Sir.