Amendments are in the works for a policy that created a "minor firestorm" for the City of White Rock last year.
Members of the governance and legislation committee gave unanimous support earlier this month (March 5) to a change proposed for the city's Policy 133 – Internal Handling Media Requests.
Adopted last May, the policy includes that "with the exception of routine events and basic information that is readily available to the public, all media requests for interview or information will be routed through the city manager or communications officer," and that "staff will provide a briefing report to the authorized city spokesperson prior to an interview with key messages."
It led some media to report that city council was trying to "control the flow of information from city hall to residents."
Mayor Wayne Baldwin described the outcry as a misunderstanding of the policy's intent and suggested an amendment that would make clear it is simply an internal staff direction, and not direction that council only speak to media through the city manager or communications officer.
"On the understanding with council members that they're speaking for themselves," Baldwin said.
In a brief discussion of the suggested amendment, Coun. Helen Fathers, who was on council when the original policy passed, reiterated the intent was not to stifle communications between council and media.
"It was never the intent of the council of the day to muzzle any council members," she said.
The amendment is expected to come before council at its next regular meeting, April 2.