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Newspapers are now banned at Fullerton's city hall and community centers
The ordinance could be a blow to the Fullerton Observer and Daily Titan newspapers.
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Image via University of Illinois Library (A. Stangl)/licensed under Flickr Creative Commons
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Topline:
Newspapers will no longer be allowed to leave copies in the lobby of Fullerton’s city hall or at community centers under a new ordinance approved by the City Council on Tuesday.
Why now? The ban, approved on a 4-1 vote, was prompted by a letter from a lawyer representing the local blog Friends for Fullerton’s Future saying a print version was in the works with an ask to install a rack for it in the lobby of city hall. City officials say the ban will ensure that city hall and other public facilities are neutral spaces.
The one exception: The council voted to allow a community news rack at the back of the main library next to a corkboard where people can post flyers and notices for local events. Otherwise, only government materials can now be distributed in the lobbies of city-owned facilities.
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Free speech concerns: Some community members, and the lone council member who voted against the ban, Ahmad Zahra, said the new policy would curb free speech and residents' access to local news — including the Fullerton Observer and the Daily Titan, Cal State Fullerton’s student publication.
The context: Two other cities in Orange County, Irvine and Newport Beach, have similar bans, city officials said during Tuesday’s meeting. A third, San Juan Capistrano, had a similar policy, but scrapped it after they got sued.
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This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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