Photography, recording meetings likely to be open to all

Tom Masschaele, Norfolk Ward 1 Councillor.

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

It now appears recording at Norfolk County meetings will be open to everyone, though councillors returned the issue back to staff over some confusion regarding the potential requirement for media accreditation.

Following a presentation earlier this spring from Port Dover Maple Leaf reporter David Judd regarding rules prohibiting the use of photography and audio/video recording devices at council and committee meetings, council requested staff review the policy and look at allowing members of the media to photograph and record meetings. When staff returned with a report at the May 12 council-in-committee meeting, they offered three options: allow anyone to record with no conditions, allow anyone to record but include conditions aimed at reducing interruptions, or maintaining the prohibition. Staff recommended the option that allows media and members of the public to record, as long as they follow certain conditions.

However, a draft document that included potential conditions also made reference to requiring members of the media to register for accreditation, leading councillors to question the point of forcing accreditation to allow reporters to do what any member of the public will be allowed to do.

“If they’re not going to get special treatment out of going through the paperwork process, why do it?” asked Coun. Chris Van Paassen. Unless accreditation came with special privileges, Van Paassen said it made no sense.

By and large, councillors seemed to agree that allowing members of the media to record meetings made sense. However, some were still uneasy with the move to open it up to anyone. Coun. Kim Huffman said she was under the impression staff would be implementing a policy that only allowed accredited media professionals to record and photograph. She had fears over bad faith members of the public taking a snippet of a meeting out of context to further an agenda.

However, others pointed out meetings are already streamed online through YouTube and with modern technology those bad faith actors don’t need to record a meeting in person to cause damage.

“We live in a free and democratic society and the public should have access to council meetings, council proceedings in a free and fair and reasonable manner,” said Coun. Tom Masschaele.

“I have to assume positive intent until I am proven otherwise.”

Other conditions included in the draft document included restricting flash, lighting and sound amplification devices if they disrupt meetings, operating recording equipment from a fixed location once the meeting starts and keeping aisles or access points clear.

It also included references to respecting the privacy of those who aren’t actively participating in the meeting and avoiding any behaviour that could distract councillors, staff or presenters. 

The chair of the meeting would have the ability to force a person to stop recording if they break the rules, or ask them to leave the chambers altogether.