Jersey Media Working Group.

You may have noted the States invitation for public comment on the following topics;

How do you find out about the work of the States Assembly?
Is enough information available about meetings of the States and Scrutiny?
Do the proceedings receive enough coverage?
What are your views on having audio/or visual recordings of meetings?
Should these be available to view on the Internet?
Do you have an opinion on the use of blog sites?
Who do you believe to be “the media”?

BUT BE WARNED that goalposts are already being moved about and we at Team Voice have received worrying responses to our initial probing through the appropriate Committee Clerk Anna Heuston on tel 01534 441033 or e-mail a.heuston@gov.je

According to Anna; “The Terms of Reference state that the Working Party wishes to determine a definition of “the media”. As a starting point, the Working Party wishes to determine what constitutes “accredited media”.

Some difference! And will there ever be a further determination of the true meaning of “the media”?
We at The Voice doubt it. This Working Group is designed to confirm the illusion that there is a group of respectable, professional people who deserve to be called “accredited media” and that they shall be treated more favourably than others - such as “bloggers”. This whole exercise is intended to defend the status quo where a cosy club relationship exists between Jersey government and the select few of reliable local “journalists” who will report just what they are told.

Anna also confirms that “The published topics for public comment are merely suggestions and do not limit the investigation that is proposed.”

And that “It is not proposed to invite any particular individuals or groups, either from within the Bailiwick or beyond, to make written or oral submissions. Submissions are welcome from everyone.”

The Panel consists of Senator Ben Shenton (Chair), Constable J. Gallichan and Deputy A. Jeune.
Unfortunately, Senator Shenton has already demonstrated his bias against bloggers over recent months by introducing discriminatory restrictions against the so called “non accredited media” at Scrutiny hearings.

At least Deputy James Reed (President of Ed. Sport & Culture), who was initially appointed to serve on the Panel, has had the integrity to resign when he realised that he was “conflicted”.

Like so many matters sent out for ”consultation” with the public there are undisclosed agenda behind this latest activity. The televised broadcasting of States meetings and the video streaming of Scrutiny hearing are already being discussed with contractors and the whole issue of the access to public information (through the Greffes, Governmental Departments, the official WEB sites, the CAB etc) is constantly being fiddled with and extraordinarily important legislation under the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Laws is also now being considered.

These are immensely important matters for all of us who take any interest in access to information, the broadcasting and exchange of ideas, free expression and democratic government.

If you are reading this – then you are somebody who needs to know more about what is going on and what might happen in the very near future.

Don’t just sit there – contact Anna Heuston or your elected representatives – and make your views known on these matters and many more.

Submitted by Thomas Wellard.