Council rule requires 1-week notice by media

LIHUE >> The Kauai County Council has approved a new rule that asks reporters and media organizations to provide a week’s notice before shooting photos or video at their meetings.

Council members said they’re hoping to ensure order when big issues arise and several media outlets come to the chambers.

The Garden Island newspaper reported Tuesday that the rule also gives the Council chairman the right to assign spaces to reporters so they don’t interfere "with the convenience of the Council or its committees."

The need arose during debates about genetically modified organisms, said Council Chairman Mel Rapozo.

"Once you start getting all of those cameras set up, it affects the public from seeing what’s going on and being able to walk around the (Council Chambers) gallery," Rapozo said.

The week of advance notice may be difficult for reporters on other islands with daily deadlines.

"If it is primarily a way to ensure access to the County Council by journalists, that’s one thing," said Jan TenBruggencate, a former Kauai reporter for the Honolulu Advertiser. "If it is ever used to restrict access, that raises a host of legal and other problems."

Councilman Gary Hooser had similar questions about the rule originally, including access for less traditional media.

"I did have some concerns about that, which is why we were hoping to have a proper discussion on the rule changes, but after looking at it, it doesn’t mean that you have to ask permission," Hooser said. "I think the intent is, if you want to put your camera in a special place or have special provisions, you can submit that request, but it doesn’t prohibit anyone from taking pictures or video."

Other counties in Hawaii have rules about assigning reporters to specific parts of the meeting room.

The new rule is essentially putting an old practice on the books.

"During some of the issues that were statewide issues, we had special groups lobbying for space, we had national TV requests and so forth, so to be fair to everyone, we asked them to put it in writing," said former Councilman Jay Furfaro.