So, the world’s rules didn’t anticipate bloggers . . . and we present a bit of a dilemma in many aspects, but its a good and interesting discussion and one I happily engage in as we try to sort out what is right and ethical. It’s particularly problematic when us bloggers both advocate and report/have an opinion. When we report on and try to influence elected officials it gets murky. But, its just some kinks to work out. Today’s problem starts with this:
7.59 SEATING ARRANGEMENTS FOR BOARD MEETINGS.
(1) Seating arrangements for county supervisors shall be compact to avoid a permanent vacant seat.
(2) Seat exchanges can be made by mutual consent of the supervisors involved.
(3) The first four rows in the chambers will be for county board supervisors only.
(4) The two seats to the chairperson’s left on the center aisle of the fifth row shall be reserved for the county board’s staff. Remaining seats in the fifth row to the chairperson’s left shall be reserved for the news media.
(5) The seats in the fifth row to the chairperson’s right shall be for the county
executive’s staff, staff from county departments, and other county officials.
(6) Remaining rows may be used by staff and county officials but not by the general public. In no case shall the general public have access to the seating area in the chambers during a county board meeting.
(7) The county clerk and corporation counsel shall have seats at the rostrum, designated by the county board chairperson.
[History: (7) am., 04/15/86; (4) rep., 04/19/88; (5) am., 04/17/90; (3) and (6) am. and (8) cr., 04/21/92; (5) and (6)am., 04/21/98; 7.59 am., OA 1, 2002-03, pub. 04/29/02; (8) rep., OA 1, 2008-09, pub. 04/24/08.]
So, should Brenda, who testified on behalf of the Tenant Resource Center against 3% cuts be able to sit in media row? When am I reporting and when am I lobbying? And, if I can be on the county board floor, can the deputies who think they shouldn’t have furloughs then be on the floor as staff? And what mayhem might ensue if we were to start lobbying from the back rows of the chambers? And why should we have special privileges that the rest of the public who is equally interested in the budget do not have. You can see the problem.
As the County Board Chair was working through what the policy should be and how it would work, I was asked not to sit in media row. I obliged, not wanting to cause trouble, but, I didn’t blog the meeting and went on strike due to poor working conditions. 😉 See, if I can’t find an outlet and a place to sit, I can’t really blog meetings that go on for hours and hours and hours. I could barely even get in the room last night it was so full. And I certainly couldn’t get close to one of the outlets until the room cleared a little. And then, a few hours into the meeting, when I did plug in, I had to sit on the floor. (The meeting did end up being short enough that my battery likely would have made it, but I didn’t know how long the meeting was going to go and I didn’t want to do half a post.)
Today, problem solved. I believe we have an agreement. The strike has been called off. 😉 Bloggers are news media, I can sit in media row. However, there are some ground rules which I think are very appropriate.
1. If I am not testifying/registering on an item before the Board and;
2. If my coverage (blog) is open to all; and
3. If I am not disruptive (i.e.lobbying county board members, trying to interview them during the meeting on the floor, etc)
Then, I may use media row. And these rules apply to all media, not just bloggers.
I think that is fair. I just wanted to clarify, that I am not responsible for supervisors who approach me and I believe that is understood.
So, there you have it folks. You can still find out what is going on through my blog, I can still use media row with the above conditions and we have some clarification and understanding of what the rules are. Carry on . . . nothing to see here.
