Editor's Note

The FOI Advocate is a compendium of ideas, edited story excerpts and other materials from a variety of Web sites, as well as original concepts and analysis. When the information comes directly from another source, it will be attributed and a link will be provided whenever possible. The blog relies on the accuracy and integrity of the original sources cited. We will correct errors and inaccuracies when we become aware of them.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

NY Bill Would Allow Video, Audiotaping

A bill pending in both the NY Assembly and Senate would change that to allow citizens greater access to the goings-on in government.

Recognizing changes in technology have made recording and photography equipment less disruptive than in the past, the legislation would allow citizens to record and even broadcast meetings (even on cable), so long as the activity wasn’t disruptive to the meeting. The law would allow government boards to establish rules such as where the equipment and personnel could be located in the room. But they couldn’t regulate what was being recorded.

It’s ridiculous that you can observe a proceeding in person, but not record it. This measure would expose more citizens to the goings-on of government by allowing people who can’t attend meetings to view recorded versions at a time and place that’s convenient to them. As we’ve said repeatedly, the more the citizens observe government activities by attending meetings and requesting documents, the more responsive government bodies are forced to become. This measure just furthers that end.

The bill, which is strongly supported by the New York Newspaper Publishers Association, is sponsored by two friends of open government, Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito of Rome and Sen. John DeFrancisco of Syracuse. The Assembly has already passed its version, while the Senate version was stopped in the majority leader’s office near the end of the recently concluded legislative session.

To read the bill and accompanying memos — it’s really cut and dried — go to the state Senate Web site, www.senate.state.ny.us. and click on Bills & Laws in the lefthand menu. Then plug in either the Senate bill number, S2053, or the Assembly bill number, A1111.

More here.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

freedom of information “FOI moment,” predicts one day each of us will have one. “It’ll happen. It invariably does.”

An institution will have a piece of information that is crucial to something you need to do. You’ll go to the county courthouse, city hall or a school district, ask for a record and be denied.

the typical reaction of most people is to give up. They sort of shrug their shoulders and walk out. I think it breeds cynicism in government. But some people who experience that moment take up the fight for freedom of information. ONE DAY IT WILL BECOME REALITY!!!
JWP
--------
Addiction Recovery Arizona

National Freedom of Information Coalition said...

Hey, I've said that before!

CD