Michigan township changes meeting rules after citizen begins filming

Upper Peninsula resident’s transparency effort raises questions about public access and recording rights

BERGLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — A Michigan man is drawing attention across the Upper Peninsula after launching a grassroots effort to record and publish local government meetings, saying the public deserves greater transparency.

Willie, a resident of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, began attending township meetings several months ago after becoming concerned about a lack of accessible information from his local government. What started as quiet observation soon turned into a personal mission to document meetings and share them online.

Click here for Willie’s YouTube Channel

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“I was the only person at these meetings for the longest time,” Willie said in an interview. “More people need to see what’s going on.”

Using a basic camera and tripod, Willie records meetings and uploads them to YouTube, often posting hours-long footage for the public to watch. He said the goal is not political.

“I don’t make a dime off of anything I do,” he said. “I’m just doing it so people can see what’s happening.”

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His efforts have gained traction, with viewers thanking him for providing access to meetings they otherwise could not attend. Willie said some residents have become more engaged in local issues after watching his videos.

The increased visibility has also brought tension.

During a recent meeting in Bergland Township, local officials adopted rules that Willie said were aimed at limiting how meetings could be recorded and shared. According to Willie, the rules included requirements related to live streaming and restrictions on commentary.

Willie argues those rules conflict with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, which allows individuals to record public meetings as long as they are not disruptive.

“The law says you have the right to record,” he said. “It doesn’t say anything about having to livestream or not being able to edit.”

Local officials cited concerns about how recordings could be used or presented, though the legality of the restrictions remains unclear.

Experts generally note that while public bodies can impose reasonable rules to maintain order, they cannot prohibit recording outright if the meeting is open to the public.

Willie said he has since taken further steps, including contacting local officials and raising concerns about the rules. He is also encouraging others across Michigan to attend and record meetings in their own communities.

“Go online, read the law, and just show up,” he said. “Even if you don’t record right away, just see what’s happening.”

Advocates for open government say efforts like Willie’s highlight the evolving role of citizen journalism in the digital age, particularly as traditional media coverage of local government declines.

For Willie, the mission remains simple.

“This isn’t about politics,” he said. “It’s about transparency.”

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