MPs are made of pretty robust stuff, as parliamentary debate vigourously highlights each week.
But it seems our representatives may be more sensitive than we thought. They have written new rules banning television networks from using parliamentary footage showing them in a bad light
Television channels could be charged with contempt of parliament if they air a satirical look at politicians in the debating chamber or if they subject them to ridicule or denigration.
Prime Minister Helen Clark says the rules actually open up coverage, allowing cameras to film the reactions of politicians. She is telling the media they have got little to worry about.
But the change has only come after MPs put their own cameras in the House.
"The public has a right to see what's happening in its parliament, and to be able to observe the antics of its politicians, so we have a responsibility to show what's happening in parliament warts and all," says TVNZs Head of News and Current Affairs, Anthony Flannery.
Chairman of the Commonwealth Press Union's Media Freedom Committee Tim Pankhurst says if MPs are so concerned about their image, they should behave better.
The new rules will not open up coverage for photographers. Restrictions which mean they cannot move around the public gallery will remain - one of the reasons given is the prospect of disturbance by photographers moving around the public gallery.
Parliament's press gallery will be making submissions on the rule changes.
The new rules will be debated on Thursday.
