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Eric Pickles to councils – let the people film and tweet your meetings Eric Pickles to councils – let the people film and tweet your meetings
(4 months later)
Local government secretary Eric Pickles has underlined the right of journalists and citizens to film council meetings.Local government secretary Eric Pickles has underlined the right of journalists and citizens to film council meetings.
He has issued a guide today* which explicitly states that local authorities should allow the public to film and record their meetings and it corrects misconceptions that such filming is prohibited by the Data Protection Act.He has issued a guide today* which explicitly states that local authorities should allow the public to film and record their meetings and it corrects misconceptions that such filming is prohibited by the Data Protection Act.
The Pickles guide also gives people practical information on how to obtain council documents.The Pickles guide also gives people practical information on how to obtain council documents.
It reminds councillors and officers who continue to bar filming that the government has changed the law to allow members of the public to report, blog, tweet and film council meetings in England see here and here).It reminds councillors and officers who continue to bar filming that the government has changed the law to allow members of the public to report, blog, tweet and film council meetings in England see here and here).
The Health and Safety Executive has also shot down the suggestion that its regulations bar filming – a claim made by Wirral council to justify a filming ban last year. (The HSE view can be seen here).The Health and Safety Executive has also shot down the suggestion that its regulations bar filming – a claim made by Wirral council to justify a filming ban last year. (The HSE view can be seen here).
Pickles said: "I want to stand up for the rights of journalists and taxpayers to scrutinise and challenge decisions of the state." He continued:Pickles said: "I want to stand up for the rights of journalists and taxpayers to scrutinise and challenge decisions of the state." He continued:
"Data protection rules or health and safety should not be used to suppress reporting or a healthy dose of criticism.

Modern technology has created a new cadre of bloggers and hyper-local journalists, and councils should open their digital doors and not cling to analogue interpretations of council rules.

Councillors shouldn't be shy about the public seeing the good work they do in championing local communities and local interests."
"Data protection rules or health and safety should not be used to suppress reporting or a healthy dose of criticism.

Modern technology has created a new cadre of bloggers and hyper-local journalists, and councils should open their digital doors and not cling to analogue interpretations of council rules.

Councillors shouldn't be shy about the public seeing the good work they do in championing local communities and local interests."
The new rules do not apply to Wales, because it is a devolved matter. But Pickles has called on the Welsh Assembly to follow his lead.The new rules do not apply to Wales, because it is a devolved matter. But Pickles has called on the Welsh Assembly to follow his lead.
It follows a blogger being arrested and handcuffed by the police for filming a council meeting in Carmarthenshire, and a tweeting ban by Wrexham council.It follows a blogger being arrested and handcuffed by the police for filming a council meeting in Carmarthenshire, and a tweeting ban by Wrexham council.
The Electoral Reform Society has accused Welsh councils of "conducting business like it was the last century".The Electoral Reform Society has accused Welsh councils of "conducting business like it was the last century".
* Your council's cabinet – going to its meetings, seeing how it works: A guide for local people* Your council's cabinet – going to its meetings, seeing how it works: A guide for local people
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