HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1994, 01/24) - G-3 - Amended - changed to D-1PRESS RELATIONS
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A continuing responsibility of City Management is that of informing citizens
about the functions of City government. To ensure that timely City
communications reach citizens in an accurate form, the following procedure
shall be adopted by all City personnel.
A. Speaking to the Print and Broadcast Media
1. Department Heads, or designated departmental representatives,
may handle routine requests from the media that are within their
area of expertise. Other employees who may be asked questions
should refer the reporter to the Department Head or designated
representative.
2. Department Heads may address questions from the media on
sensitive issues relating to their area of expertise, including topics
that may affect City policy and /or matters that may ultimately
result in Council action. Department Heads are expected to inform
and /or consult with the City Manager about such interaction as
appropriate.
3. Reports prepared by City staff for submission to the City Council,
shall not be shared with the media until the agenda packets have
been delivered to the City Council.
4. Press releases shall not contain information which is confidential
pursuant to provisions of State or Federal statutory or decisional
law, or has been received by the City pursuant to a representation
of confidentiality. Documents or information exempt from
disclosure pursuant to provisions of the Government Public
Records Act shall not be contained in any press release without
City Manager approval.
B. Press Releases
1. Press releases shall be prepared by City departments and shall be
routed to the City Manager for final review before they are
released to the media. Departments may send out releases
publicizing specific City events (date, time, place, etc.) or routine
activities without submitting said releases for review.
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2. Exception: Fire, Marine, and Police response to emergencies in the
community may be reported directly to the media by a designated
department spokesperson with the approval of the Fire Chief,
Marine Director, or Police Chief. Police Department releases
concerning traffic advisories, investigations and routine
community relations activities may also be reported directly to the
media.
3. City departments shall use standard City of Newport Beach press
release stationery to distribute information to the media.
4. Press releases shall include the name, telephone number and
department of the individual who has issued the release, as well as
a secondary contact to ensure that a City contact is always available
to the media.
5. Departments issuing press releases shall adhere to a specified City
press release format (see Attachment "A ").
6. Press releases containing controversial or sensitive materials •
and /or matters relating to public safety shall be distributed to the
Mayor and members of the City Council prior to release to the
media.
Adopted 11/23/92
Amended -January 24, 1994
Formerly G -3
A
For further information please contact
Name: Telephone:
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Attachment
City Hall • 3300 Newport Blvd • P.O. Box 1768 • Newport Beach, California 94659 -1768