Compton : Council Pulls the Plug on Filming Public Comments

For the first time in its six-year history, Compton turned off its cable television cameras Tuesday when it came time during the regular weekly City Council meeting to hear comments from members of the audience and individual council members.

Just moments before it pulled the plug, the council reaffirmed the 4-1 vote it cast last week when Councilwoman Bernice Woods introduced a motion to limit the broadcasts. Woods and other council members who supported her motion complained that too many people use the council television broadcasts to promote themselves and further their political ambitions.

From now on, the live broadcasts will include only that portion of the council meeting that deals with items that have been put on the agenda in advance for action.

Some residents, as well as Councilwoman Patricia Moore, who voted against pulling the plug, charged that the council’s action is tantamount to censorship because audience comments often contain criticism of city officials and council policy.