28 Jul 2025 Special Council meeting Governance

Media Accreditation Policy

Motion
That Council endorse the Media Accreditation Council Policy COU- 248 as attached to the 2025 -JUL-28 Staff Report titled “Media Accreditation Policy”.
Minutes, page 5
Sources
Agenda itemCity agenda, whole meeting
Staff reportPage 1
Purpose
To bring forward a Media Accreditation Policy that sets the criteria and process for accredited media to use electronic devices during a Council or Council established Committee meeting for journalistic purposes.
Staff report, page 1
Staff recommendation
That Council endorse the Media Accreditation Council Policy COU-248 as attached to the 2025-JUL-28 Staff Report titled “Media Accreditation Policy”.
Staff report, page 1
DocumentsStaff report about Governance & Civic Engagement

Hilary Eastmure Yes

Okay, councilor smear. Yes. Generally, I'm not happy that we need this policy because originally it didn't support the blanket ban on recording and photography in the council chambers, as I felt it was an unnecessary infringement on charter rights and the process to me of the media accreditation does seem a little bit onerous because there's three people involved. But I think that generally I'm more comfortable with that than just leaving. It to the discretion. Of the chair. But I do still also really want to know that there is flexibility so that if we do have, per se, media from out of town who are obviously accredited. That they could be. Given an exception during the meeting while they're here and not have to go through that. Process.

Erin Hemmens Yes

Hemmens. Thank you. It's been addressed, but I just wanted to affirm as chair of the meeting. The meeting is yours to run. So the policy sets out some framework for us to use. That I think is really useful. As I argued, however, if a national reporter comes in, even Mr. Bogus. If they don't go through you. If they arrive in the gallery, the mayor. As chair has discretion to say. Yes or no? That still embedded in the bylaw? This is just a policy to help us.

Questions and answers

Councillor Erin Hemmens
Speaker identificationConfident
Yes

asked
and then Prino. Thank you. Your worship speaking in favor. i'm going to support because this puts structure around it in a way that isn't reliant upon the mayor's discretion which could be both onerous and Could lead to issues. So. Yeah, I'm happy to see this go forward. My one question of staff is I noted that we consulted with Alex Rollinsley, the new structure. From Naimo News now. I'm really grateful for that. What changes were made as a result of his input? it notes that he provided
Karen Robertson
Speaker identificationConfident
answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
valuable feedback which has been incorporated i'd just be curious what that was i think one of the things that was really valuable that alex provided was how it would be very easy for somebody to set up a word or a wordpress or blog website which would technically qualify under the consistent verifiable content Production as well as distribution to the general public. And a blog with regular posts could also meet proof of recent publications under one's byline but he had added or suggested some additional wording where you needed to have a demonstrated history of content which objectively aligns with the Rtnnda's code of journalistic ethics, and that was a big piece, and that is referred to in the document. Because he said that any reputable outlet or journalist knows and adheres to this code and it has a lot of good language within it, which counts as proper news media. And what would not qualify. So it was really, really helpful. Thank you. I really appreciate
followed up
That. I believe it was. Mr. Vonceley, who initially emailed counsel with concern over the bylaw. So. Really great to know that staff reached out to him and that his input. Has provided changes to the policy, so thank you.

Councillor Hilary Eastmure
Speaker identificationConfident
Yes

asked
Thank you, Councilor Eastmeer. Thank you. Just a question. Through you hypothetically, then, if a member of the media didn't go through this process. And attended a meeting. Would there be a way? For the mayor or the chair. To give them permission at that meeting, similar to giving permission to a member of the public for a celebratory event.
Karen Robertson
Speaker identificationConfident
answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
I think the intent would be for people to go through the process of applying. To get that exemption, where Mr. Bogras could take a look and could see whether that person would meet the criteria as outlined in the policy. Technically, under the bylaw. If we left the bylaw as is would still have some flexibility with that. There might be a one off circumstance that might not quite fit in the box, which would make sense. So there
followed up
Still would be some autonomy there. But if we were to do option one, then even if media for some reason didn't know about the media accreditation process beforehand and attended a meeting, the chair wouldn't be able to give
Karen Robertson
Speaker identificationConfident
answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
them permission. The chair technically could. This would just be the. Process by which. Most media would be following. No, I understand. I guess if you really wanted to, we could go. Back and take a look at making those council procedure amendments. But we'd have to take some work on that. It would be a little bit more. Challenging.
followed up
Okay? Yeah. I'm just seeing. A circumstance where we have a major item on the agenda and we have out of town journalists. Who have come and aren't aware of the policy and. I don't see with the chair still having the discretion to give members of the public. The ability to. Ask. To take photographs or record for specific celebratory moments. I don't understand how that wouldn't also just extend to members of the media. If the chair. So
Karen Robertson
Speaker identificationConfident
answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
desired. Yeah. I mean, if that's completely up to council, if you want to retain. That flexibility. Yes. I would recommend that you keep the bylaw the way it is, but use the council policy as a guiding document. Ms.
Sheila Gurrie
Speaker identificationConfident
answeredDirector, Legislative Services
Guerring? Yeah. Your worship, I would just like to add in the preamble. That you read. And or the chair reads before every meeting, you state that there will be no recording or photograph. Unless exemption is provided by yourselves. So the audience is made aware of that and could seek to get that authorization at that time. And media has reached out and has all been provided that pre exemption from you already, and it's been offered as well to those that want to seek it. So just. For

Councillor Sheryl Armstrong or Councillor Paul Manly

asked
Option one. Councilor Armstrong, Councilor Hemmon seconds discussion. Yes, Councilor Manley. Thank you, worship. Going through the report. As some folks might know, I've done work as a journalist, but also as an independent filmmaker, and I've hopped through the global affairs accreditation process before as an independent filmmaker. And I'm just curious about the process for that without just being an exemption, that would be provided by the mayor, if somebody wanted to document an event or document something related to council decisions as a filmmaker. I'm not quite
Karen Robertson answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
Too sure what you're asking. I apologize. Maybe just repeat.
Councillor Paul Manly followed up
The policy is really directed towards. Accredited media outlets. And so I've worked as an independent documentary filmmaker, which means I'm not working. Directly with a broadcaster. Or an accredited. Media outlet. And it seemed to me that there is a loophole in there, that if there is a process to make exemptions. For the mayor to make an exemption. So if I was to say I wanted to come in, here. I made a film about five acres. So say I was doing an extension on that film. And I wanted to document the council decision at the time. And come in here with a camera. There would be a process to do that for an independent. Filmmaker. Yes.
Karen Robertson answeredDeputy Corporate Officer
The mayor would still. The bylaw provision would still remain unchanged. This would just provide the process for those who would come to council meetings on a more regular basis and want to film or record, but yes, certainly in individual circumstances like that. It would just permission of the
Councillor Paul Manly followed up
chair of the meeting or the mayor. Okay. I like this process. I like the fact that. It's separated from. Marin council that it's a decision by staff and it's a process for looking at accreditation and ensuring that people who do come in to work as journalists or legitimate journalists and that. There is an option for people who are under other circumstances to be able to be given permission. To document meetings for other purposes, including independent filmmaking.