This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Fullerton considers banning newspaper distribution at City Hall
Several local news outlets newsstands in the Fullerton City Hall lobby and libraries.
(
Image via University of Illinois Library (A. Stangl)
/
Licensed under Flickr Creative Commons
)
Topline:
The Fullerton City Council will consider banning newspaper stands and other non-governmental publications from the lobbies of City Hall, public libraries and other city facilities. The ban is on tonight’s City Council meeting agenda.
Where did this come from? According to the staff report on the ordinance, it was requested by the City Council “to clarify and formalize standards” for distributing materials in the city’s public facilities. The draft ordinance states that the policy would reinforce “the City’s role as a neutral provider of public services while preserving the integrity and order of government-operated spaces.”
The backstory: The relationship between Fullerton’s city government and the relatively robust local news corps has, at times, been contentious (and litigious). Ditto for the relationship between different news outlets.
The other backstory: A lawyer for the local blog Friends for Fullerton’s Future recently advised the city in a letter that the blog intended to start a print publication and requested to place a newspaper rack in City Hall. The blog was founded by prominent local businessman and political activist Tony Bushala.
Why does it matter? If passed, the ban would curb residents’ access to local news. The Fullerton Observer and the Daily Titan, Cal State Fullerton’s student publication, are currently distributed at City Hall and other public facilities. The proposed ban also seeks to establish the lobbies of city facilities as “non-public forums,” meaning the city could restrict speech as long as it doesn’t discriminate on the basis of viewpoint.
How to participate in the city council meeting: The Fullerton City Council meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m., 303 W. Commonwealth Ave. You can also watch the meeting live on the city’s website.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
