MEMBERS of the media will be allowed to join the regular Cabinet meetings of the administration, Gov. Juan N. Babauta told the Variety yesterday.
Babauta said the decision to include the media during Cabinet meetings is a way to build trust between reporters and the administration.
He said the media will be informed about the specific proposals of each department or agencies presented during the meetings.
Beginning April 16, reporters will be allowed to join the Cabinet meetings on Capitol Hill.
This is the first time in CNMI history that the media will be allowed to observe Cabinet meetings.
However, the governor said the media will not be allowed to attend “confidential meetings” particularly during the Cabinet’s executive sessions.
It was the governor’s special assistant for federal affairs and policy matters, Sonya Artero, that suggested the idea during the Cabinet meeting last month.
“We hope that the media by being there will report the information accurately to the public,” Babauta said.
Reporters are not encouraged to ask questions during the Cabinet meeting, but they will be allowed to do so after the meeting.
