N.C. Judge Rules Police Dash-Cam Videos Not Public Records

North Carolina's Randolph County Superior Court Judge Brad Long ruled that police dash-cam videos are not a matter of public record. A lawyer representing the N.C. Press Association says the ruling highlights a gray area in the state's open records laws, where the law hasn't kept pace with technological developments.

The decision stems from the efforts of media groups to obtain two dash-cam videos that could have shed light on the August 2009 fatal shooting of 21-year old UNC fraternity president Courtland Smith by an Archdale police officer on Interstate 85 after Smith had called 911 asking for assistance. The 911 radio transmission and police traffic tapes were released. The 911 radio transmission contains Smith telling a dispatcher he was suicidal, driving drunk at speeds up to 100 mph and armed with a 9 mm pistol.

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Electronic trial proceedings are public records in Fla.

The Florida Supreme Court rejected a recommendation to protect judicial audio and video recordings, the AP reported.

The state Supreme Court has ordered that electronic recordings of trial proceedings are public records.

The court Thursday unanimously rejected a recommendation from a judicial commission that audio and video recordings be protected unless a judge approves their release. The high court cited the state's open government laws in siding for openness.

The ruling comes after an appeals court rejected a request from The Tampa Tribune for audio recordings in a criminal sentencing. At issue was whether privileged conversations that weren't part of the official court record could be heard on the recordings.

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Public records reveal details of Cascade High newspaper controversy

When students associated with an underground newspaper at Cascade High School continued to use school property to produce their publication, a hidden camera was installed in the journalism teacher's classroom. Of course, the video recordings have "gone missing," but the controversy dramatically affected the lives of the former newspaper editor, journalism teacher and school district superintendent.

It was a simple process for a trained technician. Just push up a white ceiling tile, connect a few wires, and a hidden camera was ready to record everyone coming and going in a Cascade High School classroom.

Veteran English and journalism teacher Kay Powers was in trouble.

A proud 1960s lefty whose idea of vacation was to get arrested protesting at a federal military installation, Powers helped students work on the Free Stehekin, an underground newspaper, using school equipment. That was in direct violation of district orders, but she believed she was fighting for freedom of the press.

Former Everett School District Superintendent Carol Whitehead was angry. She was determined to make sure Powers and her students obeyed. On May 10, 2007, the school district had a vendor install a hidden camera in Powers' classroom -- something school officials denied for four months until evidence emerged proving otherwise. The elected school board members, largely silent during the controversy, later sent an e-mail to all Everett's principals saying Whitehead had their full support.

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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.

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Videotaping a Public Meeting: Yea or Nea?

A Vienna, Virginia, resident may pursue legal action against Fairfax County Public Schools after being told he had to turn off his video camera or leave Westfield High School during a meeting on the western county high school boundary study Dec. 3.

Bruce Bennett had started to record one of 50 small group discussions taking place in classrooms at the event when a police officer summoned him to the hall and asked him to put his video camera away.

When Bennett refused to stop filming, school officials and police officers escorted him to the entrance and asked him to leave the building, he said.

"They publicly humiliated me when they removed me from [the] room especially in light of the fact that I was just doing what I have a right to do," said Bennett, whose neighborhood would be affected under some redistricting proposals...

Bennett he intends to try and film the third boundary study meeting Dec. 18. He was able to film the first boundary meeting on Nov. 26 in its entirety, he said.

If he informs the school system ahead of time, officials would be happy to find Bennett a room with people who are not uncomfortable around the camera, said Regnier.

It can often be a better tactical move to give officials a heads up when you will want to record or videotape a meeting, said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

More here.