Meeting on Youth Violence Shuts Media Out

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Did a meeting between two government entities to discuss youth violence violate the sunshine law? The National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention discussions took place this morning at MCS and the media was not welcome.

Lawyers can later figure out whether any open meetings laws were violated Tuesday.

The media was invited to a school board meeting, 15 minutes after it started. Just 10 minutes later we were all kicked out.

It was a meeting with the U.S. Department of Justice. Memphis is one of several cities asked to participate in the national forum on youth violence prevention.
The meeting was just getting interesting from Superintendent Kriner Cash.

That's when Mayor Wharton's Executive Assistant Bobby White asked the media to leave.

"The standard has been in those meetings that have gone on in other cities to not include media," said White.

Per the sunshine law, government bodies have to conduct their business at meetings open to the public which means if three commissioners could be there conducting business, so could the media.

When the commissioners left, we were told to take out our cameras.

"We wanted everyone to be clear that they could share and say what was on their minds and on their hearts and say without being broadcast. So there were some really touching moments of young ones sharing of seeing young ones who died as a result of seeing youth violence and gun violence," said White.

The forum has been an open discussion with community leaders on problems that plague youth across the country causing them to act violently. Those taking part in the meetings are encouraged to speak freely.

"There have been some emotional outbursts. There have been some words that I wouldn't say at church, some criticisms that have been put out there relative to things that are in place, have not been in place. And that's not something that I think they would have been all to free to share with cameras and persons recording things had been in the room," said White.

The initiative is in its early stages. Government officials are hoping to gain more insight as to why youth act violently and ways to stop the violence.

"They are really forming things based on what they are hearing. So there aren't really any plans laid out. No points of action lay out. It was all about hearing the candid comments from individuals who have a stake here in Memphis," said White.

According to White, the initiative has been introduced by the Obama administration and that the meetings have been closed to the public in all other U.S. cities.