On Tuesday, Rep. Robert Grady, R-Onslow, proposed the bill requiring public governing bodies to videotape or audiotape closed sessions of public meetings.
The bill would not change the portion of the current statute that restricts transcripts of closed meetings from becoming public record until the need for privacy can no longer be justified. Current N.C. statute allows public viewing of a general written account of closed meetings so those not in attendance might reasonably understand what occurred.
But Grady said the current statutes are inadequate and his bill would give the public a more detailed account of closed meetings. "Instead of having to read a general account, which might not give every detail of what went on in the session, people would be able to see or hear how officials arrived at the results and could observe the process," he said.
Grady added that the bill is needed because he believes there are no matters that should be kept from the public and said he hopes others will support it.
But Bill Hurley, D-Cumberland, said he will not support the bill. He said closed session information, not disclosed in a general account, is left out for a reason. "As an example, if a closed session is discussing an applicant that is applying for a city position and there are some false warrants in his background, supplying this information to the public could inadvertently damage his reputation."
He added that audiotaping or videotaping closed sessions might also hinder the free flow of ideas between officials.
Rosalind Fuse-Hall, secretary of the UNC system, said taping could affect closed sessions of Board of Governors meetings. "Taping has the potential for having a chilling effect on conversations between board members," she said.
But Rep. Bob Hensley, D-Wake, said he is in favor of the bill because local governments should be more open to journalists and the public.
Hensley added that general accounts of closed sessions do not provide the public with enough information for them to fully understand what happened. "Quite often notes get 'lost' and even if they are available, they are spotty and don't include much information."
