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by Guy Page
A state-funded “Public Truth-Telling Session” scheduled for Nov. 15 in St. Johnsbury will bar reporters from recording, photographing, or interviewing participants inside the event, according to guidelines released by organizers.
The session, part of an ongoing statewide process by the state-funded Vermont Truth & Reconciliation Commission examining harm caused by Vermont laws, policies, and institutions, will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Johnsbury Elementary School. Organizers say the gathering is intended primarily for people who have been harmed by state systems and who are willing to publicly share their stories in a “supported, public space.”
While the public is invited to attend as witnesses, media access will be tightly controlled. The rules state that no recording, photography, or interviews may take place inside the truth-telling space without explicit permission from both the Commission and the individuals involved. Reporters are advised to focus coverage on the “broader purpose and community impact,” rather than any individual accounts, unless written consent is obtained.
A press liaison will be on-site, but journalists will not be allowed to approach speakers for comment unless they receive both institutional and personal approval. Organizers say the restrictions are intended to protect participant “safety, dignity, and consent.”
The St. Johnsbury session is the final event in the series. Themes expected to emerge include family separation, barriers to choosing where to live, and experiences of isolation or exclusion tied to state systems. The Commission has circulated a media kit with guidelines, background information, and contact details for reporters seeking more context.
The event is open to the public, but members of the press will be allowed to participate only under the stated limitations.
The organization’s website does list the mission, commissioners and members of the Vermont Truth & Reconcilation Commission, which was established by state law.
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Categories: Media, State Government
Hmmm. It seems as though there are other options to solicit “Public Truth-Telling Session” than limiting the press .
Why?
“Organizers say the gathering is intended primarily for people who have been harmed by state systems and who are willing to publicly share their stories in a “supported, public space.”
Does the public not have the right to know, immediately? What happens if ‘the organizers’ decide to withhold these ‘stories’?
Are most of us not now being harmed, for example, by the ‘state education system’? Or the ‘state healthcare system’?
Or is ‘the State’ planning to use public funds to buy off those harmed without voter knowledge or support, maintaining its cycle of dependency?
This sounds completely illegal, frankly. That’s the simplest way to put it.
I wonder how Open Meeting law sees this. Journalists may have cause for umbrage over being micro managed on how they perform their jobs.
Key words:
State sponsored
Public meeting.
Despicable. What wingnuts
You can familiarize yourself with the OML (S.55, Act 133). The OML does not pertain to every public meeting or gathering. It depends on whether the meeting is that of a “public body” which falls into one of 2 categories: “advisory” or “non-advisory. “Non-advisory” public bodies are those with “decision-making authority” where the body acts as judge or jury, such as the town’s Selectboard, Listers, BCA or BOA, when acting in their official “quasi-judicial capacity.” This is where the rights of an applicant or appellant are adjudicated (decided). There are exceptions to the OML, such as Executive sessions, quasi-judicial board’s private deliberative sessions, site inspections for tax grivances, clerical work and routine administrative matters. It’s complex, but hope this helps!
Being a public domain funded by the public’s taxes seems as though they’re obligated to live by the rules outlined in the Constitution.
As I looked at the title of this story, another song came to mind :
I might tell a lot of stories that might not be true, but I can get to heaven just as easy as you, why don’t you mind your own business, just mind your own business cause if you mind your own business then you won’t be minding mine.
Hank Williams, Jr.
Cause if you mind your own business, you won’t be minding mine !
Is this what they mean by they freedom of the press? When using public monies there are guidelines they will have to follow when barring these these activities.
Anything noted as “state funded” is publically funded and throttling the press or dissent is ignorant and obviously corrupt. What they are conveying is only like-minded, hive-minded, cultists are welcome into their “safe space”. One person stands up and says something they don’t like, under point of personal privledge, and all Hellfire will ensue – guaranteed. Their truth – not the actual truth. No oath offered or necessary to uphold it – that we certainly know.
The State is sponsoring a forum to talk about how the State systems harmed the public. Seriously? Sounds to me like a State-sponsored confab of State employed, State funded comrads (aka thieves/money launders) pretending to give a rat’s behind about anyone being harmed by the State or should I say “The Crowned Corporation.” Clown show sponsered by the three ring circus (executive, legislative, judiciary.)
The first question to ask the panel “What degree are you at now? – wink wink
Hmm, a state funded truth telling session. What an oxymoron.
Pretty ugly huh ?