Open mike no license to talk privately in public
A tip to those who speak up at public meetings: What you say has entered the public arena and is no longer a private matter.
That goes for public officials who say silly or embarrassing things. That goes for those presenting an idea, making a complaint, or just speaking their mind before a board of elected officials or in a public forum.
Periodically, a speaker hoping to manage the timing of news leaking out of a city council meeting or wanting to control the message from a school board meeting will turn to a reporter and say, "Now, that's not for the newspaper."
Sorry. It is, if it's genuine news discussed or revealed in a public meeting.
Periodically, an elected official will spout off intemperately, then lean across the table and say, "You can't report that."
Oh yes, we can. Whether we do or not will depend upon whether the reporter, or later the editor, thinks the remark has relevance to local issues or the public's need to know how public officials conduct themselves in a public meeting.
That doesn't mean we are oblivious to the impact disclosure can have. Rather, we recognize the importance of having public discussions in public meetings laid out clearly, fairly, and promptly so people can stay informed about issues or actions that could affect them.
Phil McLaughlin, publisher
Miami County Republic
