The media are prohibited from entering the Senate Chamber without authorization.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Senator Mike McKell, sponsor of the resolution, listens to Salt Lake Tribune editor Lauren Gustus before the Senate Business and Labor Committee opposing SR1, which will limit media access to the Senate floor and committee rooms, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
Without any debate, Utah Senate Republicans pushed for a rule change limiting press access to the final passage on Tuesday.
Previously, members of the news media were permitted access to the Senate chamber, hallways, lounge and committee rooms. SR1 makes most of these areas off-limits to news media unless accompanied by a Senate staff member.
No debate was offered until the rule won final passage on Tuesday morning.
Senate Republicans have bristled at suggestions they’re hiding something with the new restrictions, suggesting concerns about limited access to news media are overblown as committee meetings and floor debates are broadcast live.
Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, the sponsor of the measure, pointed to the daily availability of Senate media.
“The Senate has a long tradition of media availability. This will not change. It happens every day after ground time,” McKell said.
There were 20 such media availabilities in the 2022 session before Tuesday. The average time senators spent answering questions from the media at these events was just over 13 minutes.
McKell cited security concerns as another reason for blocking media from these areas. Members of the media are required to submit to an annual criminal background check as part of the accreditation process.
During a floor debate on Monday, Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, justified his vote for the change by alleging unethical acts by members of the press.
“I saw with my own eyes members of the media sneaking into the room, hiding behind pillars, listening to conversations in the name of fair and honest journalism. I think that kind of journalism has no place here,” Anderegg said.
The rule change passed by a vote of 17 to 5. Senator John Johnson was the only Republican to vote against the change.
