Capitol Press Corp Urges Speaker Sexton To Allow Public Gallery Access In Tennessee House

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative Staff –

The Tennessee Capitol Press Corps has sent a letter to House Speaker Cameron Sexton pushing back against the claim that the public isn’t allowed to use one of the galleries in the House of Representatives.

In the letter, obtained by TNJ on the Hill, the Press Corps states, “We want to be extremely clear: We believe that the press should have unobstructed and fair access to observe and report on legislative proceedings. However, we do not endorse using the media as an excuse to prevent the public from watching their representatives at work.”

The House galleries are often where media outlets operate from, sharing the space with members of the public. A permanent platform is in place in one corner for news crew camera tripods.

The letter, in full, can be read below:

The Tennessee Capitol Hill Press Corps firmly believes that reporters are vital in providing information about the General Assembly to the public. But this does not have to come at the sacrifice of keeping interested constituents from seeing their government in action.

That is why we are reaching out in alarm over House leadership using the media as among the reasons why the public should be barred from accessing the west side gallery during special session.

We want to be extremely clear: We believe that the press should have unobstructed and fair access to observe and report on legislative proceedings. However, we do not endorse using the media as an excuse to prevent the public from watching their representatives at work.

We have repeatedly seen reporters, photographers and other newspersons join packed galleries during extremely busy times at the Tennessee Capitol with great success. Most recently, during the April expulsion hearings, news organizations from across the country worked with House officials to ensure they had room to do their job while the galleries remained at capacity. That effort should be praised and repeated, not abandoned.

It is no secret that the Capitol Hill Press Corps will fight to secure a seat for every journalist inside the Tennessee Capitol – but we have not asked for more room than we need. Furthermore, we are more than willing to work from a reserved section in the gallery to allow for more members of the public to join the west side gallery.

We encourage leadership to consider all options that amplify press access and public attendance and reject any notion that we endorse the current response that is currently in place.

Thank you for your time,
Members of the Tennessee Capitol Hill Press Corps