In relation to the announcement of the Editors' Union, which was issued today after a meeting yesterday with the Government Spokesperson, the Deputy Government Spokesperson and the Director of the Press Office of the President, I wish to point out the following:
A.
A. A meeting was held in an extremely good atmosphere with a delegation from the Governing Board of the NPC in which ways of further improving cooperation between journalists and the Presidency were creatively discussed.
B. Surprisingly, however, the NPC issued a statement the following day calling, among other things, for "an end to the practice of banning entry to the Presidential Palace when meetings of major interest are being held."
There has never been a ban on entry to the Presidential Palace. There were for a time restrictions due to the pandemic, which were always proportionate to those imposed by the restrictive measures decided upon.
Most importantly, even those restrictions have been lifted for about two months. The dozens of journalists who on an almost daily basis visit the President's office can confirm this to their guild.
C. The NPC Board's claim of "...a ban on asking questions following statements by government officials" is also unsubstantiated.
The President, the entire Government and the Government Spokesman are in daily contact with journalists, are exposed in dozens of live interviews which our fellow citizens watch daily on all media outlets, and have never refused to answer questions from members of the press.
D. With regard to the other demands recorded in the memorandum handed over by the delegation of the NPC Board, I personally assured the delegation that where possible similar arrangements will be wheeled out to meet them.
E. During the meeting, additional issues concerning the journalistic community were raised, which will also be examined in order to find workable solutions.
The Government has over time and in practice demonstrated that it stands by the representatives of the press and will continue to do so.
(PM/NG)
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