Tennessee Constitution

1 Jul, 2021

Judge to consider if ban on livestreaming county commission meetings violates First Amendment

By |2021-07-01T14:53:34-05:00July 1, 2021|Categories: Open Meetings|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |0 Comments

A federal district judge is scheduled to hold a bench trial in Nashville late this summer to decide if a ban on livestreaming meetings of the Montgomery County Commission violates the First Amendment. His decision could turn on whether the ban is narrowly tailored enough to address the government’s concern about security of commission chambers.

13 Aug, 2019

Montgomery County Commission bans citizens from livestreaming meetings

By |2019-08-14T08:54:31-05:00August 13, 2019|Categories: Open Meetings|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

The Montgomery County Commission voted this week to prohibit live broadcasts, or livestreaming, from within the commission chambers during meetings despite advice that such a prohibition could be unconstitutional. The purpose of the amended rules, which also included other new restrictions, stated they were “to preserve the function, dignity and order of the proceedings.” But the county sheriff also told commissioners during the meeting that allowing live broadcasts created a security concern. The sheriff said he could not discuss details about the security problem caused by live broadcasts because that in itself would cause a security issue. County provides video on YouTube Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight argued that just [...]

9 Dec, 2016

Capitol Press Corps asks to discuss closed meetings of Republican caucus

By |2016-12-09T17:59:51-06:00December 9, 2016|Categories: Legislature, Open Meetings|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

The Capitol Press Corp has requested to meet with the House's Republican Caucus Chair, Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, to discuss an apparent change in policy where journalists are no longer allowed to cover caucus meetings. Chas Sisk, chairman of the Capitol Press Corps “Past practice — especially since Republicans gained supermajority status — has been that the meetings are open unless closed by caucus vote. If that is to change, we think it’s important for both sides to understand the rules of the road going forward,” wrote Chas Sisk, news reporter for WPLN and chairman of the Tennessee Capitol Press Corps, in a letter to Williams. “…Our fundamental concern is [...]

Go to Top