Pike River Royal Commission Hearings 5 September to 23 September 2011: Media Arrangements
The Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy is scheduled to hold hearings into Phase Two - the Search and Rescue - from Monday 5 September to Friday 23 September 2011 at the Greymouth District Court, Greymouth.
The Commission seeks the co-operation of all journalists, camera operators and other media representatives to ensure the smooth running of the hearings.
Media accreditation and attendance
Media who have not received media accreditation must apply by Monday 29 August 2011.
The media guidelines and application form to cover the hearings are available here or from the Commission’s Communications Advisor.
Once approval to cover the hearings has been granted all media representatives are required to:
- register their attendance by contacting Anna Hughes anna.hughes@royalcommission.govt.nz by 2pm Wednesday 31 August 2011.
- display their organisation’s photo identification while in the precincts of the hearing room. (If media staff are working on a roster or rotation basis then all potential attendees will be required to register).
- display a media identification sticker. These will be available from Anna Hughes at the Hearing room from 5 September.
- switch off or silence mobile phones during the hearings. The phones cannot be used for capturing images or recording sound.
The hearing room and a media facility will be available for set-up from 9.00am on Monday 5 September.
The Commission will hold a briefing before the start of the hearing at 10.00am on Monday 5 September.
The Commission may impose restrictions on coverage, but media will be advised of these at the start of the hearings. Please be familiar with the standard conditions for media coverage in Court (included in the media guidelines referred to above). These conditions, notwithstanding that they apply to court coverage, will apply in addition to the arrangements outlined above.
Media facilities at the hearings
There is only space for two cameras in the hearing room – one TV camera and one still camera.
There will be up to four seats available in the hearing room for journalists.
A media facility will be available in a room adjacent to the hearing room. This facility will provide technical infrastructure for taking the pool feed, a TV monitor to view live footage and access to other parts of the hearing facilities as required. Media are requested to provide their own internet connections.
Audio and visual coverage will be via a pooled feed. Media needing access to this feed must contact Anna Hughes by 2pm on Wednesday 31 August, 2011 and will need to ensure they have the correct connectors.
Still photography will be via a pool photographer.
Your cooperation is expected and appreciated. Acceptance of these conditions is required as a condition of registration.
ENDS
