Bailiff agrees national media can film assisted dying debate

Friday 18 May 2018

As the States debate on assisted dying enters its third day, Guernsey's government has voted in favour of a landmark decision.

For the first time, television cameras will be allowed to record the closing speeches of a debate and the voting.

The decision was made yesterday as the States reached the second day of debating assisted dying proposals.

The Bailiff said he had been asked by a branch of the local media on Friday 11 May if they could film this debate. Sir Richard Collas told the States yesterday that he said no on that occasion because it was too short notice to arrange it.

However, with unprecedented international media interest on the island at this time that situation has now changed.

On Wednesday 16 May, following the close of that day's States meeting, a reporter from Sky News approached Sir Richard to ask permission to film. The Bailiff agreed in principle and asked for a formal request via email. 

Bailiwick Express was copied in to that email with a promise from Sky News that any footage would be shared between local and national media including BBC, ITV and Al Jazeera. 

The Bailiff put the matter to the States at the opening of the second day of debate on Thursday 17 May, explaining that he had already refused a local request to film but he felt this request, made by Sky News on behalf of local, national and international media, should go to a States vote. Sir Richard gave the assembly until lunchtime to consider it before a recorded vote at 14:30 went 31-8 in favour of allowing a pool camera to film the two closing speeches - from Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq (against the proposals) and Deputy Gavin St Pier (for the proposals) and the voting. 

That is expected to happen sometime today.

Television cameras have never been allowed to film the States of Deliberation in action before. The only time footage has been taken is during times of recess or for events like the Youth Assembly.

A stock photograph is allowed to be taken at the commencement of each term of government which the media are allowed to take and then use over the next four years. When Bailiwick Express launched in January 2018, the editor asked permission to take a photograph of the States in session for future use and the Bailiff said it was not possible at that time.

Pictured: A view of the States chamber most people are more familiar with

The laws surrounding filming within the States chamber have been debated many times over the years. In 2014 the law was changed to allow filming on request.

A request is believed to have only been made twice - once last Friday by a local media which was refused and once this week by Sky News which was approved.