Still no automatic right to film or tweet Hackney Council meetings despite new guidelines

Tweet talk: Council says there has been no change of policy and the constitution will remain the same

Rules surrounding the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices during Hackney Council meetings will remain unchanged despite new government guidance.

Earlier this month Local Government secretary Eric Pickles announced the publication of a guide providing information and advice for members of the public attending council meetings.

The document states the Data Protection Act “does not prohibit” filming of public meetings and calls on councils to allowing the filming of councillors and officers at meetings open to the public.

Speaking on 14 June, Mr Pickles, the Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, said: “I want to stand up for the rights of journalists and taxpayers to scrutinise and challenge decisions of the state.

“Data protection rules or health and safety should not be used to suppress reporting or a healthy dose of criticism.

“Modern technology has created a new cadre of bloggers and hyper-local journalists and councils should open their digital doors and not cling to analogue interpretations of council rules.

“Councillors shouldn’t be shy about the public seeing the good work they do in championing local communities and local interests.”

In the Hackney Council constitution – the set of rules that govern how the council operates – Rule 30 states: “Any mobile phone or other electronic communications device taken to a meeting should be switched off for the duration of the meeting.”

When asked by the Hackney Citizen if Hackney Council planned to amend the rule following the new guidance, the council said it had “no plans at the moment”.

A spokesperson said: “Hackney Council takes a relaxed approach to the use of mobile phones and other electronic communications devices.

“Provided the council is given prior notice and it isn’t a closed part of the meeting photography and filming is generally permitted. As long as meetings aren’t disrupted people can tweet, update their news blog or film.”

The council added that it had “no plans at present” to implement the use of webcasts for council meetings, similar to the platform uses by Camden Council.

Hackney councillors have been observed tweeting during council meetings on numerous occasions, including last July, when a group of so-called “monkey tweeters” defied the constitution to microblog a picture of a stuffed primate.