Ever since facing criticism about being too tight-lipped about our mission in Afghanistan, the Department of Foreign Affairs has been holding regular weekly briefings with reporters.

Usually there are one or two central figures who will provide on-the-record comments, and then a group of senior officials from various departments provide background information.

On Wednesday, the headliner was Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan, Arif Lalani, someone you would think would draw a crowd.

A grand total of two journalists, one from the CBC, the other from the Toronto Star, attended the briefing and only one reporter dialed in on the toll-free number to listen from his desk.

A note to Parliamentary reporters: you can't complain if you don't show up.