Croydon Radio has started live broadcasting and podcasting local authority meetings, creating a full, unedited catalogue of Council decisions for locals to listen to.
The council has agreed to the move to:”help build trust and get people more involved in the political process.”
The council events, which are normally open to the public, can now be heard by those who don not have the chance to get to the Town Hall on Katharina Street.
The first official broadcast on Monday May 20 covered the election of the new Mayor of Croydon, Yvette Hopley.
Bieneosa Ebite, presenter of “In the Loop” and host of the now weekly council broadcast was surprised and happy with the first listening figures.
She told East London Lines that “everyone saw how popular it was and that it would make complete sense to continue with the broadcast.”
Over 200 people listened to the first live broadcast, and more than 14,000 people downloaded the pilot podcast.
The need for better political accessibility can be seen in this year’s Audit of Political Engagement from the Hansard Society, which says that “48 per cent of the public would like to “make politics more transparent so that it is easier to follow.”
Bieneosa said: “I think [people] want to get involved, but they want to feel as though they can, they want to have access to it.”
Bieneosa said live broadcasting and podcasting can bring benefits to local government: “We all know there’s issues in terms of trust when it comes to politicians,” adding that “being more transparent can only help building trust and get people more involved in the political process.”
All podcasts and future broadcasts are available through the Croydon Radio website.
Reporter: Dea Cisar