The following article represents the opinions and experiences of The Bugle’s Senior Journalist Brendon Foye, and should be considered as an editorial.

Opinion: Kiama Council experienced what could be its darkest day on 1 February 2024, as police were called to remove disgruntled members of the public and protesting union members from Council Chambers, following threats of physical violence made towards Councillors.

But rather than focusing its attention on the impending sale of the $100+ million Blue Haven Bonaira, or the extension of its Performance Improvement Order that could see Council sacked if it fails to comply, Council instead took aim at The Bugle for reporting the facts.

As events unfolded on Thursday night, The Bugle published a breaking news report to inform readers about police involvement at Council Chambers, which Kiama Council immediately attempted to change to paint itself in a more positive light.

Deputy Mayor Imogen Draisma and CEO Jane Stroud contacted The Bugle, requesting the article be altered to reflect that police weren’t called on citizens, but only union members. This is misleading, as the union members The Bugle spoke to who were removed were also residents of the Kiama LGA, which would imply that being a member of a union excludes the public from community engagement.

As the dust settled and protestors moved on, police informed The Bugle and other citizens not associated with the union that they would not be allowed back into the building at the request of Kiama Council. This is par for the course when Council enters into a confidential session, however, amid the chaos in the chamber, Mayor Reilly didn't move a motion to commence the confidential session, leading to confusion among the public waiting outside the chamber.

As a courtesy to Kiama Council, The Bugle updated its article to reflect this distinction and to clear any confusion. That wasn’t enough for Council though.

While The Bugle was preparing an updated article the following morning (2 February 2024), Councillor Mark Croxford published a letter attacking The Bugle and myself for our report on the events of the previous night. The assertions made in Councillor Croxford’s letter are false, defamatory and a blatant attempt to stifle the free press.

Councillor Croxford’s letter claims that members of the public and media were asked to leave under the Code of Meeting Practice in order to move into a confidential session of council. As the recording of the meeting shows, this did not happen.

Councillor Croxford also took it upon himself to take personal jabs at myself. “Given Mr Foye reported that the four union members were peacefully escorted out by Police, however, the truth is Police issued the Union representatives a formal Move On Order which is enforceable for 24 hours. A good journalist would have been able to establish that fact.”

It is surprising that Councillor Croxford would make such representations, given he was in the Mayor’s office while these events transpired. I was actually present at the time, unlike any of the Councillors, and witnessed police laughing and joking with union members as they were peacefully escorted out. The Bugle’s follow up article does mention that these members were issued with a formal move-on order, and the two events are not mutually exclusive, as Councillor Croxford appears to believe.

It is also difficult to validate Councillor Croxford’s version of events, given he used his time during the meeting to discuss plans with fellow Councillor Matt Brown to attend the pub after the meeting and hit the sauna while other Councillors conducted official business.

Therefore, it was not surprising that Councillor Brown also attempted to intimidate The Bugle in an email directed to The Bugle’s editor, and sent to Council CEO Jane Stroud. According to Councillor Brown, “It has been my experience of late that your reporter, Brendon, is observed 'cussing and showing dismissive attitudes' towards Crs who are bringing up issues, which I presume is against his politics.”

No such event described by Councillor Brown has ever occurred and is completely fictitious. Councillor Brown is no stranger to the repercussions of “cussing” at politicians.

It’s a sorry situation when democratically elected politicians feel the need to attempt to dampen freedom of speech and discredit the media for reporting on their own conduct. The angst is amplified when the community witnesses a laser focus on the media rather than Council’s crumbling finances and lack of performance.  

We will continue to share all forms of bullying with the community assuming it does not cease.

The Bugle prides itself on independent, continued fearless reporting and will not be influenced by external parties.

We want to hear from you, have you been the recipient of bullying by government representatives?