Media and filming guidelines

1.1    Photography, filming, press conferences, scrums and stand-up interviews involving media are permitted in the Legislative Precinct under the terms and conditions set out in this policy and the LAO Media Policy and Guidelines. Media activities must allow for safe passage through all hallways. The Speaker has the overall authority for all media activities in the Legislative Precinct.

1.2    This policy outlines the operational requirements and guidelines for Officers of the Legislative Protective Service (LPS) related to media activities within the Legislative Precinct.

2.1    Legislative Precinct –  has the same meaning as in the Legislative Assembly Act, RSO, 1990, c L.10.

2.2    Media scrum – an impromptu question and answer session usually held outside the Chamber, Media Studio, committee rooms, or government caucus room 247 by more than one reporter.

2.3    Officers – when capitalized, refers to both Peace Officers (POs) and Protective Service Officers (PSOs). Where a directive refers only to Peace Officers or only to Protective Service Officers, the full title or abbreviation will be used. Where the terms “officer(s)” or “peace officer” appears uncapitalized, it refers to all officers and peace officers, including those external to the LPS.

2.4    Press conference – Any planned announcement by a Member of Parliament or Ministry in which multiple media outlets have been invited to attend.

2.5    Press gallery – refers to:

a)    the body that oversees the rules and responsibilities of Ontario journalists when at the Legislative Building; or

b)    one of the galleries overlooking the floor of the House used by members of the media.

2.6    Private spaces – includes caucus rooms, MPP offices and other areas not open to the public.

2.7    Public areas/spaces – spaces in the Legislative Precinct where the general public can attend without an appointment such as corridors, Main Lobby, staircases, cafeteria, dining room, etc.

2.8    Stand-up interviews/ live hits – live or recorded hit or interview conducted by not more than one media person (reporter and camera only).

2.9    Supervisor – refers to both Sergeants and PSO Leads, as well as the senior leadership (PSO Supervisors, Staff Sergeants, Inspector/Operations Manager, and Director) of the Legislative Protective Service and the Sergeant-at-Arms.

3.1    MPPs are permitted to film themselves (or be filmed by a staff member) on a mobile phone or other handheld device while in the public areas/spaces of the Legislative Precinct, as long as the following does not occur:

• display of partisan clothing/signage
• use of fixed cameras/tripods
• impeding the daily business of the Assembly, blocking hallways or access paths, etc.

3.2    Any filming by an MPP that involves partisan materials and/or fixed cameras or tripods should be referred to the Media Studio or to a private space such as the MPP’s office or a caucus room.

3.3    As per Standing Order 22, “The use of laptops, tablets and smartphones is permitted in the Chamber and committee rooms provided they are operated silently, do not impair decorum and are not used as a telephone, recording device, camera or prop.”

4.1    Media scrums and stand-up interviews are permitted throughout the public areas of the Legislative Precinct.  Filming should be carried out while respecting the privacy of building users and ensuring that parliamentary activities, public tours or other normal business can occur.

4.2    Ontario journalism/media students who wish to interview and/or photograph/ film an MPP, or write an article for curriculum requirements must have the appropriate credentials/ Press Pass issued from the Press Gallery Coordinator.

4.3    Photographing/filming the Chamber doors, landing area and steps to the Chamber are permitted when the House is not in session.

5.1    When the House is sitting, only the Legislative Assembly Broadcast and Recording Service and accredited media from the Press Gallery are permitted to film inside the Chamber.

5.2    All accredited media are permitted to bring their cell phones into the Chamber.

5.3    Media are expected to make use of the Legislative Assembly's broadcast feed.

5.4    Press Gallery:

• Photographs taken with cell phones by the media are permitted.
• Only hand-held cameras are permitted in the Press Gallery.

5.5    Speaker's Gallery:

• Video cameras shall be carried at waist height when brought into the Chamber.
• Tripods must be secured while in the gallery with the chain provided which is built into the ground.
• Lights on cameras are not permitted to be utilized inside the Chamber.
• Photography is strictly prohibited from the Speaker's Gallery unless approval is sought from the Director, Broadcast and Recording Service.
• Reporters accompanying their camera person into the Speaker's Gallery must remain seated behind the camera and refrain from note taking. Reporters wishing to take notes must be seated in the designated space in the Press Gallery.
• No interviews, stand-ups, live hits, or loud talking in the Chamber.

5.6    Photography/filming from the public galleries is strictly prohibited unless approval is received from the Director of Broadcast and Recording Service.

5.7    Flash photography is not permitted within the Chamber, including in the press gallery.

5.8    Photographing/filming personal materials on the desks of MPPs are not permitted.

5.9    Cell phones must be operated on silent mode.

6.1    Press conferences in the Legislative Building may only take place in the Media Studio or in private spaces such as caucus rooms. This includes briefings taking place before or after a press conference or media event. Press conferences held in the media studio must adhere to the guidelines for use of the Media Studio

7.1    Stand-ups with MPPs are permitted throughout the public areas of the Legislative Precinct by accredited media only with the exception of the main lobby and grand staircase of the Legislative Building. Due to the high volume of media interest during special events (e.g. the Throne Speech or Budget day), media must book a live location with the Director of Broadcast and Recording Service.

7.2    Filming should be carried out respecting the privacy of building users and in a way that does not impede parliamentary activities, public tours or other normal business.

7.3    Cables must be dressed properly (rubber floor mats) and nothing shall be taped to the floors of the Legislature without permission from the Sergeant-at-Arms.

7.4    Conducting stand-up interviews or media scrums on any staircase is discouraged for safety reasons but may be authorized on a case-by-case basis. Requests to film an interview or conduct a scrum on a staircase shall be directed to a Supervisor immediately.

8.1    Accredited media are permitted to attend stakeholder events in the Legislative Building at the request of the organizer and when sponsored by an MPP.

9.1    One press conference per registered political party in Ontario is permitted in the Media Studio during the writ period.

9.2    Stand-ups/live hits by accredited media are permitted in designated public spaces for the sole purpose of reporting on election activity.

9.3    The following media activities are not permitted in the Legislative Precinct during the writ period: stand-up interviews with MPPs or candidates, media scrums, photographing/filming of an MPP or candidate or campaigning of any type.

10.1    Officers shall:

• ensure members of the media have their accreditation before entering the Legislative Precinct and/or Chamber;
• directs members of outside media (those not already accredited) to Press Gallery Coordinator in order to obtain accreditation/day pass;
• contact a Supervisor when media accreditation is requested after Press Gallery office hours (see Appendix 1, criteria of accreditation);
• ensures public space is not used for press conferences;
• contact a Supervisor when a press conference has occupied public space; and
• ensure that stand-up interviews are carried out safely and that parliamentary activities, public tours or other normal business can occur.
• ensure access to the Precinct for visiting members of the media in accordance with the OPS-008 (Access Control and Visitor Screening).   

11.1    Supervisors shall use established criteria provides temporary media accreditation when requested after Media Centre office hours (see Appendix 1).

11.2    Upon being notified of a press conference in a public space:

• If the press conference is underway, the Supervisor will wait until it is completed to discuss the situation with the MPP and Media Studio Coordinator.
• If the press conference has not commenced, the Supervisor will ask to speak with the MPP in private to discuss the issue and will assist in coordinating the appropriate location for the press conference.

12.1    Press Accreditation is granted by the Legislative Press Gallery in accordance with criteria established in its Constitution and by-laws.

12.2    Press Gallery Coordinator will verify the identity of journalist(s) with government photo ID and a business card.  An email or call should be made ahead of time to request accommodation, letter from editor in advance to the Press Gallery Coordinator or when unavailable, the Queen's Park Press Gallery to expedite the access process and to have a pass waiting.

12.3    When media credentials are unavailable, government photo ID must be shown and a basic online check will be conducted to ascertain that the reporter works for a bona fide media outlet.

12.4    A day pass will be issued with a pamphlet that contains information about press gallery rules in the Chamber and Media Studio guidelines.

12.5    A list of accredited media will be provided by the Legislative Press Gallery to the Deputy Clerk on a monthly basis and will be posted on the intranet portal under the title "Accredited Media".

12.6    If the employer cannot be confirmed at that time, the person may be admitted as a visitor and will be subject to the Assembly rules of visiting guests and will be directed to the public galleries.

Director, Broadcast and Recording Service: 416-325-7364

Media Studio Coordinator / Media Centre: 416-327-2819

Press Gallery Coordinator / Media Centre: 416-325-7922

Press Gallery President: 416-325-7846