A presentation I gave to a panel at Wyre Forest District Council looking into filming council meetings, blogging and social media.

1. Recording Equipment, Blogging and Social Media Review Panel Wyre Forest District Council Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

2. Who’s this guy? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

3. Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

4. Bloggers? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org Aggregators Blogs News Hyperlocal Campaign Social networks Forums

5. Don’t film us! Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org Rule 20: “No-one is allowed to take photographs of or record using any audio and/or visual equipment the proceedings in meetings unless permission is given at the meeting” Recommendation 22: “all audio recording of the proceedings in council assembly be allowed... Photography and filming would remain subject to prior agreement of the chair.” “I’ll have to ask you to leave the meeting...”

6. Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8aWA3sMqyY

7. What does Eric say? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org Give “credible community or ‘hyper-local’ bloggers and online broadcasters the same routine access to council meetings as the traditional accredited media have.” And that “giving greater access will not contradict data protection law requirements.” See Paul Bradshaw: http://helpmeinvestigate.com/the-legal-issues-around-recording-public-coun Source: Department for Communities and Local Government

8. Why should you? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

9. Accountability in the big society? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org “With the Big Society empowering charities, private companies and social enterprises to take on public services what are you going to do to ensure that communities themselves can effectively hold those providers to account?”

10. Mr Pickles... Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org “The greater powers and freedoms that we are giving local councils must be accompanied by stronger local accountability.” “Opening the door to new media costs nothing and will help improve public scrutiny.” http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsstories/newsroom/1850364

11. New media Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org “In a world where hi-definition video cameras are under £100 and hyperlocal bloggers are doing some of the best council reporting in the country , it is crazy that councils are prohibiting members of the public from videoing, tweeting and live-blogging their meetings.” Chris Taggart, OpenlyLocal.com

12. What should you do? Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

13. Be open and transparent Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

14. Allow blogging, tweeting and filming Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

15. Mitigating risks Have your own record Deal with disruption as normal Open Government license Communications with bloggers Monitor the “back channel” Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org

16. Thank You& Questions Lichfield Community Media lichfieldcommunitymedia.org