On 9th August, Eric Pickles, Local Government Secretary, sealed a new law to allow anyone to film, photograph or record public council meetings, while an added explanation from the Ministry stated… "We would discourage any system which `vetted' journalists or restricted reporting to `approved' journalists. Councils should support freedom of the press within the law and not seek to restrict those who may write critical comments."
Immediately, the Salford Star announced that it was going to start a YouTube TV Station (`Salford Council Inaction') to bring Council debates, or lack of them, to the wider community (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Yesterday Salford Council and Mayor Ian Stewart announced that the Council itself will be live streaming the meetings. While others are entitled to film proceedings too, the Council included a censorship clause.
It stated correctly that "Photographs, audio, and visual recordings should not be edited in a way that could lead to misinterpretation of the proceedings"…but added "This includes refraining from editing the views being recorded in a way that may ridicule or show lack of respect."
This is wide open to interpretation – and that interpretation will be decided by the Council and Mayor Ian Stewart, no doubt. So, if a clip is shown of the Mayor or a councillor making a particularly stupid point, is this a `lack of respect'? If commentary is provided in a light hearted edited version that aims to make the debate more accessible for Salford people is this `ridicule'?
"This absolutely stinks of Stalinism and an attempt to control the press" says Salford Star editor Stephen Kingston "The whole point of the new law was just a digital extension of journalists' rights to make notes at public meetings. No-one in the past has told journalists what to do with those notes and how to write them up – so what's changed?
"I think this is a deliberate ruse by Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart and the Council to find an excuse to ban any criticism – under the guise of `lack of respect'" he adds "And in particular, we feel, it's an attempt to try and stop the Salford Star from making the Salford Council accountable to the community in an accessible manner. The Mayor doesn't need us to ridicule him; he's doing a great job by himself. Salford Council is becoming a circus of democratic horrors."
The Salford Star wrote to the Council ten days ago notifying it of our intentions to film public meetings. Salford Council has not responded.
* For the full press statement from Salford Council and details of filming rights - click here
See also previous Salford Star articles…
• Salford Council Apologises to Salford Star for Attempted Election Ban – click here
• Mayor's House Blockaded By Anti-Cuts Protesters – click here
• Salford Council Attempts To Ban Protest Rally – click here
• Salford Mayor Wins `Gimme That Crown' Award – click here
• Salford Mayor Wins Rent-a-Crowd of the Year Award – click here
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