HomeMy WebLinkAbout(1996, 02/26) - D-1 - AmendedD -1
PRESS RELATIONS
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 procedures shall be adopted by all City
personnel, boards, commissions, and committees.
A. Speaking to the Print and Broadcast Media
1. Department Directors, 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 Director or designated representative.
2. Department Directors 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 Directors 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 nor the general public 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 and routed to the City Manager for final
review before they are released to the media. Departments, boards,
commissions, or committees may send out releases publicizing specific
City events (date, time, place, etc.) or routine activities without submitting
said releases for review. All other press releases shall be routed for
comment to any department that would be affected by the release prior to
final approval by the City Manager. This requirement will ensure that
information is current and correct.
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2. Exception: Fire and Marine, and Police responses to emergencies in the
community may be reported directly to the media by a designated
department spokesperson with the approval of the Fire and Marine Chief,
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, boards, commissions, or committees 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,
board, commission or committee of the individual who has prepared the
release.
5. 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.
Attachment "A"
Adopted 11/23/92
Amended - January 24, 1994
Amended - February 26,1996
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For further information please contact
Nome: Telephone:
City Hall • 3300 Newport Blvd • P.O. Box 1768 • Newport Beach, California 9P659 -1768