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A possible setback for open government and transparency on the Garden Isle, as reported in . Excerpt:

Some Kauai County Councilmembers are defending a new rule that asks reporters and media organizations to provide a week’s notice to videotape or photograph one of their meetings.

That rule, which was approved by the seven-member board nearly two weeks ago and included in their governing guidelines and procedures for the next two years, also includes a provision that allows Council Chair Mel Rapozo to assign spaces to reporters that do not interfere “with the convenience of the council or its committees.”

The reason is to ensure order when big issues arise and several media outlets come to the chambers, as they did during the debate on Ordinance 960.

“That all started when the GMO issue came up,” Rapozo said. “Once you start getting all of those cameras set up, it affects the public from seeing what’s going on and being able to walk around the (Council Chambers) gallery. For me, it was never a big deal — if you come in with a camera, you come in with a camera. I don’t really care, but I think staff just wanted better control and to know who’s there.”

Media experts, say the provision may open the door to larger issues, such as whether online bloggers or media contributors would be required to follow the same rules, or whether media companies from other islands on a daily deadline may be able to provide a week’s notice and get the proper access. …

Jan TenBruggencate, a former Kauai bureau reporter for the Honolulu Advertiser, and Councilman Gary Hooser are among those raising concerns about the rule, according to the report.

Anti-GMO supporters on Kauai celebrate passage of the law requiring more disclosure from biotech companies. The matter is now in the courts.

Sophie Cocke/Civil Beat