Defamation fears stop filming of Whittlesea Council meetings
Whittlesea councillors have voted against a move to live stream council meetings amid fears they could be sued for defamation.
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Whittlesea councillors have voted against a proposal to live stream council meetings amid fears they could be sued for defamation.
Councillors voted four to three at a meeting on November 13 against the proposal which recommended the council trial live streaming for 12 months starting next year.
Live streaming, which would have enabled people to watch meetings from the comfort of their own home, is used by many Melbourne councils.
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Councillor Norm Kelly said the live streaming protocol did not make it clear who would be “judge, juror and executioner” when something controversial was said during a meeting which could expose people to defamation suits.
The council has been under scrutiny for the past year amid reports of a culture of dysfunction and allegations of bullying.
Councillor Caz Monteleone said there was “absolutely no reason” why council meetings should not be streamed.
Cr Monteleone said rather than be damaging to councillors, the cameras would mean councillors “hold ourselves to account and improve our behaviour as well”.
Councillor Ricky Kirkham backed Cr Monteleone’s view and said cameras would “provide an extra layer of transparency and ethics” and would enable the public to hold elected officials to account.
The council had been considering the options, effectiveness and risks of live streaming since June 2017.
In August and September the Melbourne Community Television Consortium Ltd recorded two council meetings as a trial.
At present if the public do not attend a meeting they can access meeting minutes online to find out about council decisions.
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