Chapter 1.5News Coverage of Governmental Agencies

Section § 6090

Explanation

The law emphasizes that public administrative agencies are meant to help carry out the people's business and must conduct their activities openly and orderly so the public can stay informed. The use of broadcasting and photographic equipment at these public agency proceedings aligns with this goal by keeping the public informed.

It is the public policy in this state that public administrative agencies exist to aid in the conduct of the people’s business and that the proceedings of public administrative agencies should be conducted openly and in an orderly manner so that the public may remain informed.
In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the orderly use of broadcasting, telecasting and photographic equipment at proceedings of public administrative agencies serves this public purpose.
public administrative agencies open proceedings public business broadcasting equipment telecasting photographic equipment public transparency public information public agency proceedings orderly manner public policy informing public legislature public awareness media access
(Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1517.)

Section § 6091

Explanation

This law allows radio and TV stations to air meetings and hearings of state, county, and city administrative agencies that must be open to the public, except for certain legal proceedings. The broadcasting equipment must operate quietly and not need extra lighting, though agencies can permit exceptions. If needed, the meeting leader can limit equipment by requiring sharing between media outlets. Meetings about hiring or firing public officials or handling complaints against them are not covered by these broadcasting rules.

Radio and television stations shall be permitted to broadcast and telecast, either directly or by means of transcriptions and film, the proceedings of all meetings and hearings, other than adjudicative proceedings conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, of all state, county, and municipal administrative agencies that are required by law to be open to the public, provided that cameras and other equipment used at the meeting or hearing must operate silently and not require auxiliary lighting.
Any such agency may waive the provisions requiring silent operation of the cameras and other equipment or excluding auxiliary lighting for such cameras and other equipment.
The chairman or presiding officer of the agency may require pooling of equipment when he deems it necessary to limit the number of pieces of equipment for the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Meetings of, or hearings by, administrative agencies to consider the appointment, employment or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear appeals by or complaints or charges brought against such officer or employee shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.
broadcasting public meetings radio and TV coverage administrative agency hearings public access to meetings silent operation equipment auxiliary lighting waiver media pooling equipment public officials employment hearings exclusion from broadcast rules open meetings law government transparency broadcasting restrictions public agency meetings media coverage regulations broadcast exceptions
(Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1517.)