A panel discussion will explore “What’s the Future of Online Public Meetings?” during a live virtual meeting taking place at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, March 23. Advocates and practitioners will talk about the pros and cons of government by Zoom, which was unheard of two years ago but became the predominant format for public meetings when the pandemic hit.

Should virtual meetings continue? Should hybrid meetings be required by law? Should all bodies follow the same guidelines for format, procedure and public access?

Moderator Justin Silverman, executive director of New England First Amendment Coalition, will lead panelists Scott Pickering, general manager of East Bay Media Group; John Marion, executive director of Common Cause Rhode Island; Liz Tanner, director of the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation; and Jordan Day, interim executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns.

The discussion is hosted by the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island, the American Civil Liberties Union Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Press Association, Common Cause Rhode Island and the New England First Amendment Coalition.

The public is welcome to join virtually via Zoom at: https://bit.ly/3Mx6zqm.