Although the broadcast audio quality was fairly decent, the fact that the video element was missing, left much to be desired especially given the nature of this particular agenda item which showcased much passion among residents packed in the Council chamber.
Naturally, video streaming brings an entirely different dynamic and dimension to the process. The phenomenon and popularity of websites like YouTube and Vimeo are obvious testimony to this, not to mention the proliferation of video in all our cool handheld devices. I really look forward to the Ipad offering...sorry, I digress. Back to the issue...
Less than a week ago, the Toronto Star published an article which lauded the City of Vaughan for becoming a leader in transparency and accountability. Unfortunately, when it comes to the full transparency of public Council meetings, the City of Vaughan gets a marginal passing grade at best.
I have been told by some that there are those wonderful Privacy laws that limit what the City can and cannot do in respect of video simulcast, but I simply don't buy it. One only need look to our neighbouring municipalities to see that this is and has been going on for many years.
Below for example, are samples of RogersTV broadcast schedules for various surrounding municipal Council meetings.
http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=12&rid=28&sid=1126&cdate=1/27/2010
http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?rid=16&lid=12&sid=1030
http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/cityhall/mississaugatv
http://www.rogerstv.com/option.asp?lid=12&rid=70&sid=3183
Clearly, Privacy laws are not the issue at hand here.
In the Toronto Star article above, when asked about what was driving the change in Integrity and Accountability policy reforms at the City, Councillor Alan Shefman responded by saying "it was driven by the will of Council and the clear recognition by some of us who felt that you need these sorts of policies and codes in place to give councillors a guide for good behaviour."
That being said, I for one would like to see the "will of Council" proceed further in their bid to be transparency role models and work to begin the live video streaming of public Council meetings.
If you're a resident of Vaughan, I'd love your opinion on this.
If for no other reason, we might be able to prevent situations like the following:
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2 Comments:
Video coverage of the sessions, along with having the view it at a later date (given so many are during the day) seems like a natural progression. Rogers covers Aurora's sessions at times, and there's no reason why it couldn't be done especially with a new Civic Centre that should be equipped to handle this.
But if you've been a meeting the past year or two you'd see that some Councillors don't listen to deputants or each other. They'll have sidebar chats and even type away on their blackberry. How that is productive is beyond me (when it is the norm not the exception in some cases). Perhaps the optics of constituents seeing their elected members put in a half hearted effort/interest is what's holding things back.
Great idea though!
Elliot thanks for the comment.
I completely overlooked the thought of the new Civic centre. One would hope that the audio/visual engineering and design considered this possibility.
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