Mass. Bill Proposes Access for Political Bloggers and a Video Record of Committee Meetings

We’ve seen governments monitor private citizens through video surveillance and increased access to electronic records. Here’s a proposal for citizens, and their media, to use some of these same tools to follow the work of their representatives in government.

Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law and Public Record Law may be expanded by S1458 to provided better access for independent media (bloggers) to state buildings and records.

The bill proposes special standing to citizens and members of the press seeking to take video of proceedings. They would have preference in attending meetings and a prepared location whenever possible.

And finally, it puts the state in the role of taking and distributing its own video of proceedings.

The General Court shall ensure that video recording of each public hearing of committees and special commissions. Said recording shall be archived on the website of the General Court in a form easily accessible to the general public as soon as reasonably feasible after the recording is made, and shall remain available on the website for at least 24 months, after which it shall be preserved in the state library.

The state has lots of cameras fixed on citizens.  This bill would put some of those cameras in public meetings, so that citizens can track the work of their government.  In all, happy news for Independence Day.

Tip of the hat to Stephanie Davis and PatriotGamesMedia.

1 Response to "Mass. Bill Proposes Access for Political Bloggers and a Video Record of Committee Meetings"

  • battery-stores

    May 21, 2010

    I like your style so much, I am your honest reader.
    Thanks for sharing the post.

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