The selection meeting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame always has been shrouded in secrecy. The voters (here are the 46 this year) are told, “What is said in this room, stays in this room.”

It is much like the cardinals’ selection of a Pope, although without the plume of smoke. Rest assured, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is working on that.

So it came as a huge surprise to the voters that cameras will be in the room for next week’s HOF meeting in New York. Footage then will be used by the NFL Network during its Hall of Fame announcement show that evening.

I managed to get hold of a confidential memo sent out by the Hall’s Joe Horrigan to the group, many of whom are upset about the new development.

It reads in part:

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In an effort to keep you updated and informed, I am providing the following important information and clarifications relative to our upcoming selection meeting.

Regarding a camera in the meeting room, the PFHOF will limit taping of presenters speeches to the first 90-seconds of 4-6 presentations.

The camera and camera operator will leave the meeting room after each segment.

The PFHOF will have total editorial control over all content before any footage is released.

Selectors will be notified of the election results as soon as the PFHOF segment of the NFL Honors Show begins taping projected to be between 6:30-6:55 p.m.

The selectors are free to release the names of the Class of 2014 immediately upon receipt, even though the PFHOF segment of the NFL Honors Show will not air until approximately two hours later.

A brief press conference with the Class of 2014 will be conducted at Radio City Music Hall’s press room immediately after the PFHOF segment of the Honors Show is taped. Selectors will be given first opportunities for the Q&A session. Again, this will occur approximately two hours before the NFL Honors Show airs nationally.

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The voters were caught off-guard by this development. They didn’t hear about it until it was mentioned in passing on NFL Network last week.

Exactly how the footage will be used remains to be seen. Working on getting an official response.

The Hall process works this way: A representative from the player’s city makes a presentation to the committee. There are discussions about the candidates and then eventually a secret vote.

It is such a closed process that the selectors don’t know the final breakdown of the votes. Transparency is an issue here, but that’s a subject for another day.

Confidentiality is the dominant buzzword in this meetings. The voters are strongly urged not to discuss their selections–or else.

So imagine their surprise upon hearing that there will be cameras in the room. It represents a major breach from tradition.

Several voters are concerned the presence of cameras might impact the tenor of the meeting. It is akin to letting outsiders in the room.

While it appears as if the footage will be limited this year, there also is a concern that this is just the beginning. As one voter said, “Once you’ve opened the door, you’ve opened the door.”

Many of the voters appear to be upset because they weren’t consulted about letting cameras in the room. There’s always going to be a strong reaction when a group is caught off-guard.

Reportedly, the presenters will have to agree to have their presentations filmed. That shouldn’t be a problem since there are several radio and TV reporters on the committee.

However, the larger issue is about the seeming contradiction between cameras and confidentiality: The 3 Cs, if you will. It is either a secret meeting or it isn’t.

More to come, I’m sure.