I have witnessed over the past two weeks the community reaction to the recent changes to Council's media policy fuelled by media headlines and Councillor Muller.

The situation has been inflamed by headlines of "Councillors' Lips Sealed", Media Policy Change Gags Councillors" and "Muller muzzled". I have chosen to deliberately remain silent over this period.

The Council position is simple, and the change to the media policy represents this position. The position is that all information emanating from Council should be factually accurate. This is consistent with discussions with the public about Council being open, honest and transparent. The CEO and myself review every media release prepared by Council staff for accuracy and Council want the same level of accuracy to apply to other information disseminated by Councillors.

The need to include a clause in the media policy requiring that any media release or statement from Councillors be checked for accuracy before release to the public is as a direct result of inaccurate or misleading information having been disseminated to the public in the past.

This is not an attempt to gag Councillors or censor their opinion, far from it. This is about ensuring correct information is provided to the public. Since the policy was amended three Councillors have written to newspapers or spoken in radio and television interviews. I have been informed that this was occurring and on one occasion Cr Muller provided a copy of his regular column for review to the CEO Mr Brennan and myself and on another occasion Cr McCourt provided a copy of a letter he intended writing to the Editor of the South Eastern Times newspaper to the CEO Mr Brennan and myself. On both occasions there was no subsequent change to the content. It is clear therefore that the Policy does not act as a gag of comment by Councillors.

I would like to reiterate the current situation regarding Council's media policy and Councillors speaking publicly. Under the Policy Councillors are requested to inform the CEO or myself of their intention to speak to the media as a courtesy and the policy asks that Councillors check factual information for accuracy with the CEO or myself.

If Councillors wish to make a personal comment on a topic the media policy states that the Councillor indicate publicly that the comment is being made as an individual, that the comments are not necessarily the view of the Council, that the matter has or has not been determined by Council and that the majority of Council may hold a different opinion. These requirements are consistent with those of other Councils across the State.

Finally it would appear from some of the media commentary that there is a view that the Media Policy somehow stifles debate and discussion. It does not. Indeed I have at all times encouraged Councillors to be active and assertive representatives of their communities. This debate takes place in Council meetings open to the public. My responsibility as the Mayor is to fairly represent Council decisions and debate to the public. I have done that and intend to continue to do so.

Mark Braes
Mayor
Wattle Range Council