FAQ

In many legislatures, parliament mainly through its committees may seek the opinions of other stakeholders – experts, government officials, civil society, scholars or even members of the public to gain a deeper understanding on specific issues that requires parliamentary attention. In other words, parliament would organize a forum solely for consultation purposes or as a means of obtaining evidence. In the latter case, written and oral evidence taken at the hearings is included in the record of the committee. Such forums are what we call public hearings.
Hearings in public however are a completely different matter. In some parliaments, committee meetings are usually held in camera, but committees can decide to hold meetings that are open for public scrutiny. Public scrutiny of proceedings can be achieved in two ways. First, re-transmission by the massmedia or parliament’s own broadcasting channel could allow citizens to follow what is currently happening in committees. Second, committees can allow citizens to observe the meetings in the committee room or hold a session in public view. In other words, the session is open for the public to attend but not to participate. In such a session, all parliamentary rules and procedures are strictly followed and they give the public an insight into how parliament works.