Who Can Film a City Council Meeting?

A resident's recording equipment sparked a brief standoff at yesterday's subcommittee meeting.

August 8, 2026

A routine finance meeting at Malibu City Hall hit a [brief snag yesterday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaFicfajdNQ) when a resident set up a camera and microphone at the public podium, without asking first.

Mayor Bruce Silverstein objected, saying that placing a microphone at the dais required the body's permission. The resident countered that state law gives the public the right to record open meetings.

The chair said he would have granted permission had it been requested, but called it inappropriate to simply set up the equipment, saying he would seek clarification from the city attorney.

California's open meetings law does generally protect the public's right to record public meetings, though the exchange ended without resolution.