Here's a welcome development... even if you're cynical enough to see it only as a clever public relations initiative. Medway council in Kent is to set aside a row of seats at its main meetings to accommodate citizen journalists.
It is doing so, says its media chief John Staples, because "it values the work they do scrutinising the authority." Therefore, in recognition "that citizen journalists play an important part in local democracy, Medway wishes to make it easier for them."
About six citizen journalists evidently attend council meetings and to ensure they get a good seat they are being asked to tweet (@medway_council, since you ask) on the day.
Medway council's deputy leader, Alan Jarrett, said: "It is important that councils are open and accountable and we want to help people who give up their time to tell their followers about our meetings."
I'm sure the communities minister, Eric Pickles, will be delighted with this news. His Local Audit and Accountability Bill, now awaiting royal assent, guarantees the right of journalists and bloggers to tweet from council meetings.
Source: Medway council media department
