Legislative Council Improves Media Access to Legislature
Montana media will soon find it easier to report on legislative proceedings as a result of initiatives approved recently by the Legislative Council.
"Members of the media met with us last spring to express concerns about their access to legislative proceedings, and we took what they said to heart," said Sen. Mike Cooney, president of the Senate and a member of the council. "We recognize that the media serve an important watchdog role, making sure government serves the needs of the people. So we looked for ways we could help them produce solid, impartial, and comprehensive news about the Legislature."
The council, made up of legislative leaders, approved spending about $18,000 to significantly expand the number of media audio feeds available in the Senate chambers and in several Capitol rooms that are used for committee hearings.
It also decided to sponsor a Media Orientation Day, scheduled for Dec. 8, to give reporters a chance to learn their way around the Capitol and access the new equipment. The event is aimed at new and veteran reporters who will cover the 2009 Legislature.
In addition, the council instructed the Legislative Services Division to work with media representatives to develop a pamphlet to provide guidance on covering the legislature.
"Our goal was not just to help the media," Sen. Cooney said. "It was to help all Montanans who rely on the media for information about their government."
The addition of dozens of new audio feeds will make it possible for more reporters to offer live coverage of committee and floor action. Radio, television, and online reporters will be able to use the feeds to record all or some of legislative proceedings for broadcast, while print reporters will be able to record debate to help them as they write newspaper articles.
The pamphlet on covering the Legislature will offer guidance on such issues as media accreditation, decorum on the House and Senate floors, emergency procedures in the Capitol, and Montana law relating to the public's right to know about the activities of state government. It will be available to reporters who attend the orientation as well as from the Legislative Information Office.
For more information, contact the Legislative Information Office at 444-2957 or gshirley@mt.gov.
