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Senators decry rule on filming, photographing meetings
Sens. Peter Wirth (left) and Sander Rue
Sens. Peter Wirth and Sander Rue went on the radio program News New Mexico this morning to decry a rule their colleagues passed that allows committee chairs or ranking members to shut down filming and photographing of public meetings.
Referring to an incident in which I was questioned by the chair and ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee before I was allowed to photograph last week, Wirth said what is “particularly challenging” from a First Amendment standpoint is asking a person’s purpose in wanting to film or photograph – which happened to me.
“I think it goes too far, and we’re going to have some First Amendment issues,” said Wirth, D-Santa Fe and a lawyer. “I just don’t see how asking individuals what the purpose of their filming is, how that’s going to pass scrutiny.”
The N.M. Foundation for Open Government shares Wirth’s concerns.
Rue, R-Albuquerque, said making filming or photographing conditional is “almost more concerning to me than closing the whole thing up,” adding that, if it is conditional, “I don’t think you have transparency any more.”
Three senators voted against rule
Wirth and Rue were two of three members who voted last week against the Senate rule that gives chairs and ranking members the authority to stop a person from filming or photographing. The third was Sen. Mark Boitano, R-Albuquerque. Four other members were absent or excused (see how each senator voted here).
Senate Rule 4 was sponsored by President Pro Tempore Tim Jennings, D-Roswell. Senate leaders from both parties pushed it in response to concerns about the governor’s webcasting of Senate committee meetings.
The governor had been filming committee meetings using public resources and, on her government website, posting the video along with comments about senators who supported her positions and opposed them. Wirth said many Democrats believed that was “being done in a pretty partisan manner,” but he added that people should be able to webcast committee meetings regardless of their motive.
‘I just think it sets a horrific tone’
Wirth said the Senate has slowly been moving toward more transparency, noting the webcasting from the Senate floor, but said there’s a ways to go.
Rue said many senators who haven’t served as long as the chamber’s leaders are more open to increased transparency. But most ended up following the Senate leaders on this issue.
“I think there are a lot of members that just kind of defer to leadership,” Rue said, adding that some feel the committee chairs “have a responsibility to maintain order and decorum,” and, in that context, “should have that latitude” to control who photographs and films meetings.
The incident involving me and the Senate Finance Committee isn’t the only time the tension surrounding this new rule has played out. Wirth said he witnessed some individuals wanting to webcast a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting being given “a pretty rigorous questioning before they were allowed to proceed.”
“I just don’t think the public is going to put up with this,” Wirth said. “…I just think it sets a horrific tone.”
Update, noon
You can listen to the full interview beginning about halfway through this podcast.
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Senator’s Wirth, Rue, Boitano and Adair should be praised for standing up and fighting to keep freedoms granted to all of us everywhere but in the State Capitol. How ironic that the very freedoms these individuals take an oath to protect and defend are quickly thrown away when people are afraid to be held accountable for their actions. Allowing anyone to ask “why are you filiming us” sounds alot like the actions currently in Libya, Iran and other countries we try so hard to seperate ourselves from.
In the end lets congratulate those brave individuals who introduced ammendments and or voted against this. In the end if you try to keep the people from knowing they will want to know even more!
The only correct actions are those that demand no explanation and no apology. ~Red Auerbach
The Senate should be ashamed of itself for arrogance and lack of transparency regarding photographs
Here are the US Senate rules:
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
THE STANDING COMMITTEE REQUESTS ALL STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS COVERING ACTIVITIES OF THE CONGRESS CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN AN ORDERLY AND UNOBTRUSIVE MANNER. PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST ACT AND DRESS IN STRICT CONFORMITY WITH AND OBSERVANCE OF THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF DIGNITY, PROPRIETY, COURTESY, AND DECORUM TRADITIONALLY RESERVED FOR THE CONGRESS IN ITS OPERATIONS. THE STANDING COMMITTEE REMINDS MEMBERS THAT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND ATTIRE MAY RESULT IN LIMITATIONS BEING IMPOSED ON ACCESS AND COVERAGE.
Mr. Smith’s behavior and leadership in this matter is so wrong.
It’s like paying lip service to something that was already decided, so I’m not sure how forceful Rue and Wirth’s opinions were. I just can’t seem to trust anyone in politics any longer, and that’s a sad admission to make.
This is appalling behavior on the part of both parties!!! I can’t believe that only 3 Senators voted against this garbage. I have a lot of respect for some of these senators, and it just baffles me that they would do this. I guess it just goes to prove that it’s power and not principle that is the biggest motivator when push comes to shove for these folks. I am considering organizing a photography protest having as many people as can just show up and take photos. When politicians are allowed to pass laws that restrict public documentation of their actions then we the people have lost.
I think here is where the real Democrats stand up for the principles I hold dear in my Party. I am glad to see Wirth, who I do not usually agree with, do this in particular. I am wondering where those bastions of liberal free speech are that posture and pontificate regularly about such causes. Ones like Keller, Cisneros, Campos, Griego, Feldman, Lopez, Garcia, etc. They like to make speeches to cheering crowds and through out partisan red meat to their left wing special interests for applause lines, but they hide and cower when anyone wants to record what they are saying and doing.
Either that or, there are a lot of members who cannot summon the character and the courage to hold themselves honestly accountable to the truth (about the public interests and about their public service).