Thread by @RobShaw_BC

Outgoing Speaker Darryl Plecas has produced a “Speaker’s Forum” report w/ recommendations for the #bcleg. It contains… many reforms that target the media, which, I should point out, the Speaker has no authority over. But.
I will summarize them in this thread.

"Encourage the Legislative Press Gallery and other media to present news to the public more like an accessible briefing note on relevance and less like a story about villains and heroes.”

"Have an independent body provide an annual report card of the media’s coverage of the Legislative Assembly."

"Work with the Legislative Press Gallery to establish a fund to support access to the Legislature for alternative media outlets."

"Provide a rotating scholarship for smaller newspapers so that they can be working members of the Press Gallery.”
Plus, a new “non-partisan” leg staff position to help media get info.

"Examine in partnership with the Legislative Press Gallery, the effectiveness of current issues regarding access, resources, and physical space.”
I assume this means, move us outside to stand in the rain until we learn our lesson...

"Work with the Legislative Press Gallery to establish a fund to support access to the Legislature for alternative media outlets."

"Collaborate with the Legislative Press Gallery to develop a knowledge holder list that can be accessed by MLAs and the media.”
I have no idea what this means.

I should point out, at this point, none of these issues were ones raised by the press gallery when consulted. The Speaker has ignored the actual suggestions we made on access and other issues. But. Anyway.

The media are not immune from the Speaker’s recommendations to improve the world. Here are some for MLAs.

"Reintroduce ‘public written questions’ by developing a structure for organizations to submit questions to the Speaker’s Office to be responded to by Cabinet Ministers."

"Establish a non-partisan “fact-checker” of statements made by MLAs in the Chamber.”
That.
Is.
Something.

"Encourage MLAs to sponsor or encourage crowdsourcing of Private Member’s bills."

Media literacy:
"Educate the public on strategies to process the information presented in the media (i.e. media
literacy) regarding B.C. politics."

"Include student representation on local School Boards.”
The Speaker has no authority over local school boards. But… okay.

"Mandate Civics 12 in high school.”

"Encourage the Speaker to act as the official listener to the public."

Overhaul Question Period to “eliminate clapping” and “eliminate banging of desks” and “eliminate interruptions” and “eliminate heckling” and limit questions “only if submitted in writing."

"Hold Question Period later in the day so it is less likely to be catered to the media."

"Remove Hansard cameras from the Chamber."

"Redesign physical spaces within the Chamber and the Parliament Buildings to align with a solutions- based discourse instead of an adversarial one."

… anyway.
All of this comes out of roundtable meetings with #bcleg participants (full disclosure, I attended one, once, on behalf of the gallery and never heard any of this stuff). Speaker also released a couple other reports today with action items and other things.