By Isle of Wight Observer
This article from the Isle of Wight Observer published on 22nd June, 1878, prompts us to say, not for the first time, how many issues are much the same today as they were then!
THE MARINE DRIVE TO SEA VIEW.
The Ryde Town Council have had several private meetings lately, in which certain matters have been discussed with closed doors. The object of this arrangement is said to be to prevent the Press from reporting the proceedings. As, however, it has no such effect, and what must be garbled reports of what takes place finds their way into the newspapers, the Council ought to consider whether it would not be better to admit reporters to their deliberations than to have cooked-up reports furnished. Some portion of the Press seem to have unusual facilities for obtaining information of what goes on behind the scenes, and it is quite evident there are members of the Council who let out the secrets of the august body. However, in spite of the myserteous air adopted, it seems the Council have only been discussing the proposed drive to Seaview.
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Now, we know nothing about a discussion upon such a topic which it would be inadvisable for the ratepayers to know. A great many are not full aware of the circumstances of the case, the expenditure the Council contemplated, and the difficulties in the way of such an undertaking. We think, therefore, it would only have been just to the ratepayers if the Press had been admitted to the discussion on this question, and the reasons which influenced the Council in their decision made public. The system of discussing such matters behind a closed door is a bad one. In the first place some member is sure to let out a few half truths about what took place, and this is quite sufficient for some members of the Press to build a number of inferences, &c., upon, and we can see no earthly reason why the ratepayers should not know the whole facts. After all, they are the principal parties involved.