HomeMy WebLinkAbout(2002, 04/23) - D-1 - AmendedD -1
MEDIA 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, corrunissions, and committees.
A. S eaking 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 or the general public until the agenda packets
have been delivered to the City Council.
4. News 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 news release without City Manager approval.
B. News Releases
1. News 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 news releases shall be routed for
continent to any department that would be affected by the release prior to
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final approval by the City Manager. This requirement will ensure that
information is current and correct.
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. Any releases deemed to be of concern to
the community should also be copied to the City's Public Information
Officer.
3. City departments, boards, commissions, or committees shall use standard
City of Newport Beach news release stationery to distribute information
to the media.
4. News releases shall include the name, telephone number and department,
board, commission or committee of the individual who has prepared the
release.
5. News releases shall adhere to a specified City news release format (see •
Attachment "A ").
6. News 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]
Adopted - November 23,1992
Amended - January 24,1994
Amended - February 26,1996
Amended - April 23, 2002
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For further informotion please contact
Name: Telephone:
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Attachment "A"
City Holl • 3300 hlcwport Blvd • P.O. Box 1768 • Newport Beoch, Colifornio 92659 -1768