Melton council’s new media policy is a threat to councillors’ freedom of speech, locals believe.
At this month’s meeting, councillors adopted a policy that restricts them from making comments to the media that don’t portray councillors and the mayor as a “united team working for the betterment of the city”.
As reported by Star Weekly, state MPs dubbed the policy as an “outrageous attack” on freedom of speech and “bureaucratic bullshit”.
Cambridge, Coburn and Watts Residents Association president Angela Scarpaci said she feared for councillors’ freedom of speech.
“I’ve read the policy … and I don’t agree with it at all,” Ms Scarpaci said.
“We elect the people we feel represent our municipality the greatest … if they don’t have the freedom to go to the media it defeats the purpose of having councillors.”
Karen and Danny Ellis, who commented on Star Weekly’s Facebook page, believe the policy could “indirectly gag” residents.
“We strongly agree that this measure is an attack on freedom of speech,” they said.
“What is unstable in Melton City Council for it to want to have this lack of free speech and control measures in place?
“What is council trying to control besides individual councillors?
“Maybe it’s the individual self-interests of a few that’s at play.”
Wayne McKail urged residents to not let issues such as the media policy be swept under the carpet.
“It’s up to us to correct this – just one or two people will not sort this out,” he said. “It’s up to us to make sure this does not happen. We can make a difference.”
