Alberta premier rolls back part of government's media question restriction policy

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is reversing part of her government's new media question restriction policy but says she will continue to limit queries in order to provide more answers.

Smith's office, in a statement Tuesday, said while individual reporters are still limited to one question with no follow ups at news conferences, that rule will not apply to individual news outlets.

Smith and her chief adviser Rob Anderson announced over the weekend the one-question rule would apply to outlets.

That sparked confusion over which outlets would be affected, given many reporters covering the premier work for the same corporate employer but in different capacities, including different cities, different bureaus and different subject areas.

Smith's office did not explain the reason for the reversal.

"To be clear, individual journalists, not outlets, are welcome to ask the premier one question so she is able to respond to as many journalists as possible in the allotted time," the office said in a statement.

The statement also reiterated the premier's answers don't end when a news conference is over.

"As always, if a journalist requires a clarification or additional information, they are more than welcome to contact our office," it said.

Last Friday, The Canadian Press contacted Smith's office by email seeking clarification and additional information on the question restriction policy. Smith's office did not respond.

On Monday, The Canadian Press again contacted Smith's office by email seeking clarification and additional information on the policy. Smith's office did not respond.

The Tuesday statement was in response to a letter sent Monday by the Alberta Legislature Press Gallery Association, which represents reporters based in the legislature building, demanding the question restriction policy be abandoned.

"The gallery does not accept the explanation offered thus far that giving reporters only one question will allow for more questions to be asked throughout press conferences," stated the letter.

"Many other options are open — shorter preambles, shorter answers, longer news conferences, more news conferences — rather than a solution that allows Alberta's leader to avoid accountability."

The gallery also said Smith announced the policy last Friday before immediately implementing it at a news conference in Calgary, with no discussion or advance notice.