Isocnz Shows The Way For Open Discussion

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-FROM-ISOCNZ

The organisation vested with responsibility for ensuring the Internet remains open to all parties, ISOCNZ is leading the way in using Internet technology to commuicate with its members by posting taped recordings of its council meetings on the web

The Internet Society of New Zealand, which believes it is the first organisation in this country to do so, sees the move as a way of keeping all members fully abreast of issues and debates.

Chairman Peter Dengate Thrush said the ISOCNZ Council should operate in full view of its members, who can already access copies of all papers presented to council, and all minutes and records of council meetings.

Members are already invited to attend all meetings, and minutes and reports are posted to the members-only area of the Society's web pages at www.isocnz.org.nz

He said this will include encouraging members to attend meetings, access audio transcripts and eventually live netcasts of council meetings.

"The taping policy adopted at the last council meeting is in line with the basic concept of the Internet as an open means of communication, and it is most appropriate that ISOCNZ is leading the way in this respect.

"We have had strong debate about directions the organisation should be taking and the council is keen to see healthy discussion fostered in an open and honest manner."

Mr Dengate Thrush said council committees and working groups will also be placing records of their work on designated member- accessible web pages to enable all members to participate in the activities of the Society.

"Of course there will be some aspects of the Society's business, such as personal staff information and commercially sensitive information from the society's 100 percent owned company Domainz, which must be treated confidentially, but as a general rule the principle of open discussion will be adopted.

"My preference is that if people wish for reasons of confidentiality or privacy to restrict information to the Council only then they will have to justify that request.

Mr Dengate Thrush said the new system of posting audio records from council meetings to the members-only area of ISOCNZ website is being actioned immediately.

ENDS

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