Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Media Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves policy allowing city-council candidate forums and interviews on government channel
Summary
Council approved amended operating procedures to permit City Council candidate forums and interviews on Channel 47, limited to council races and produced by a neutral third party under city sponsorship; the manager and city attorney will develop operational guidelines and select neutral partners.
City attorneys presented draft amendments to Channel 47 rules to allow city-council candidate forums and interviews on the government-access channel, clarifying that programs must be city-sponsored, produced by a neutral third party, and invite all candidates to ensure fairness. The recommended language explicitly limits political programming to city-council offices rather than broader "city offices." "We feel that what we have before you, is a proper use of the government channel," the city attorney said, noting Cox Communications concurs with the proposed approach.
Council debated who should authorize and administer individual forums and interviews. Several members said council should approve policy but delegate execution to the city manager and staff under the adopted guidelines so operational choices (moderator, length, scheduling) do not return to council each cycle. The council voted to adopt the amended policy framework and asked the manager, city attorney and media staff to return with implementing procedures and a neutral-party selection process for future elections.
