CITY ATTORNEYS OFFICE POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Media Relations Policy

The goal of this policy is to ensure that the City Attorneys Office disseminates
consistent, accurate and timely information to the media and the public.
Media is defined as:

Television (local, network and cable) stations

Radio stations
Print media (newspapers, magazines, professional publications, trade journals,
neighborhood or community publications, etc.)
Wire services (Bay City News, Associated Press [AP], Reuters, UPI)
Electronic (Internet-based) news and information sources (social media, blogs,
groups, etc.)

Responding to Media Inquiries

The City Attorney is the only authorized media spokesperson for the Office.
The Chief of Staff is the point of contact for all media inquiries and may act as a
spokesperson for the Office with authorization from the City Attorney.
Any staff member who receives an inquiry from a journalist should direct the inquiry
to the Chief of Staff at (510) 238-3148. Also ask for the journalists name, news
organization, contact information, deadline and the subject of the inquiry and
immediately forward that information to the Chief of Staff.
If the Chief of Staff is unavailable, direct media inquiries to the Executive Assistant to
the City Attorney at (510) 238-3812.
Most reporters are on deadline, so media calls should be given urgent priority and
handled whenever possible within one hour of the call.

Designated Spokespersons

No member of the Office may act as a spokesperson for the Office, conduct media
interviews, provide information to reporters or answer questions about City Attorney
or City business without express authorization from the City Attorney or Chief of
Staff.
From time to time, the City Attorney or Chief of Staff may designate a member of the
City Attorneys staff to respond directly to an inquiry or provide information to the
media.

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If you are designated as a spokesperson on a particular issue, consult with the City
Attorney or Chief of Staff regarding the City Attorneys positions on the specific
issues to be addressed.
If you are designated as a spokesperson, following the interview provide the City
Attorney and/or Chief of Staff with a summary of the questions asked, the angle of
the interview and your assessment of the tone of the interview.

News Conferences & Media Events

All news conferences and media events will be scheduled and coordinated by the
Chief of Staff. Members of the staff may be asked to attend or participate in media
events.
A member of the City Attorneys staff who attends a news conference or media
event may not provide information to reporters or answer media questions without
express authorization from the City Attorney or Chief of Staff.

Press Releases & Statements

All press releases and statements regarding City Attorneys Office business will be
issued by the Chief of Staff with approval of the City Attorney.

General Media Relations Guidelines

Provide only information that is factual, timely and appropriate to the situation. It is
inappropriate to give a personal opinion while on duty.
If you do not know the answer to a question or are unsure of how to respond, tell the
reporter that you need to check on the answer and will get back to him/her as soon
as possible.
Do not speak for other City agencies or third parties. For example, if a reporter asks
Why did the Mayor do X? the appropriate response is You should direct that
question to the Mayors Office.
Maintain attorney/client privilege. It is not appropriate to reveal City Attorney client
advice.
Do not give confidential information to the press, for example personnel-related
information.

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