schools Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Tennessee Coalition for Open Government

5 Mar, 2014

Greene County update: Two board members say there was no vote to ban TV cameras

By Deborah Fisher|2014-04-09T17:14:08-05:00March 5, 2014|Categories: Open Meetings|Tags: Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban|0 Comments

WJHL News Channel 11 has an update on the ban of TV cameras from Greene County school board meetings. Last week, the school board chairman turned away a TV reporter's video camera, with the schools director later saying it was long established policy to ban TV cameras from its meetings and it helped prevent a "sound-bite view" of proceedings. But the underlying policy is becoming a controversy. As written, it says school board members can decide whether to permit cameras or not. Two school board members now tell WJHL that there was never a vote to keep TV media cameras out. Also, Office of Open Records Counsel Elisha Hodge told [...]

Greene County camera policy mirrors recommendation from TSBA

By Deborah Fisher|2017-01-06T15:27:24-06:00February 28, 2014|Categories: Attorney General Opinions, Open Meetings, school boards|Tags: AG opinion, Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban|0 Comments

The Greene County Board of Education's decision to ban TV cameras from its public meetings appears to be based on a recommended camera policy by the the Tennessee School Board Association. The school board association sets out best practices for its members. A recommended meeting policy contains the same language that is being reported as in the Greene County school board policy: "No one shall bring a camera, camcorder or other photographic equipment to Board meetings without the consent of the Board," reads TSBA's recommendation. The Greene County school board policy differs only that it starts "The press shall not bring..." The association insists its recommended language is not a "ban" [...]

Greene County school board bans TV cameras to avoid “sound-bite view”

By Deborah Fisher|2015-08-18T07:56:19-05:00February 28, 2014|Categories: Open Meetings, school boards|Tags: Greene County, schools, Tennessee Open Meetings Act, tv camera ban, WJHL|1 Comment

(March 14 Update: The Greene County school board chairman apologized on March 13 for the TV camera ban. The board proposed language to change its policy to permit "cameras or any other recording devices" in its meetings, with a majority vote required to remove them only if they become a "hindrance or pose a threat to public safety." The new policy is to be voted on at the next Greene County school board meeting. To hear what board members said at the March 13 meeting, click here.) Previously published: The Greene County School Board last night banned a TV camera from its meeting, with the director of schools saying on [...]