Who’s media and who’s not?

Ashland City Hall on a quiet Thursday afternoon in winter. Drew Fleming photo
January 31, 2022

Ashland city attorney suggests council consider policy on ‘what constitutes sufficient proof of media status’

By Bert Etling, Ashland.news

Who’s really “a representative of the news media”? Under Oregon law, the answer determines whether they are allowed to attend most government body executive sessions.

The provision was included in the original Public Meetings Law enacted in 1973 for several reasons, according to a 2016 review prepared by state Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, including ensuring governing bodies stick to “permissible purposes” for closed sessions, and to permit news media to “gain valuable background information for future reporting.” Reporters may be required to not share specific information discussed at the session.

“Representatives of the news media shall be allowed to attend executive sessions,” the law reads, while going on to cite certain limited exceptions, including labor negotiations.

Ashland City Attorney Katrina Brown will bring before the council at Monday night’s study session a “request for direction” regarding adoption of a policy, possibly similar to ordinances adopted by the cities of Salem, Oregon City and Cottage Grove setting up a list of approved media outlets and criteria for admission to the approved list.

The proposal is being brought forward by Brown after a decision was made to ban a member of the press at the prior council meeting, Mayor Julie Akins said in an email. Brown is asking whether the city council wants to consider adopting a policy, which could include what constitutes as “sufficient proof of media status.”

Dean Silver, who writes for The Ashland Chronicle, wrote that he received no response from the city to his request for access until the following day. It said, “due to a lack of information at that time that you not be allowed into the Executive Session.”

A similar request by Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth also went unanswered, and she was unable to view the executive session, which was held via Zoom.

“No evidence whatsoever was presented to the City Attorney to substantiate that this person was a representative of the news media,” Brown writes in the agenda packet for the study session, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 31.

Akins, who has an extensive background in journalism, sent several news organizations an email about the study session on Saturday morning. She also posted on Facebook and NextDoor, saying the proposal is something “I can only see as an assault on the free press and your rights to have a watchdog evaluating your government.”

The new city attorney was assistant city attorney for four years before becoming interim city attorney in June after Dave Lohman’s resignation, and was named to the post permanently in October. Her previous experience includes 10 years as assistant city attorney with the city of Salem.

Those in the public wishing to give oral testimony about the policy must fill out a speaker request form at ashland.or.us/speakerrequest and send it to the city recorder by 10 a.m. Monday. The same deadline applies for submission of written testimony. The meeting will be conducted via Zoom, and shown live on cable channels 9 or 180, and on rvtv.sou.edu.

Email Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling at [email protected] or call him at 541-631-1313. Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth contributed to this story.

Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

Related Posts...

Obituary: David Brian Shaw

Obituary: David Shaw, 78, former executive director of the Peter Britt Festivals in Jacksonville, founder of Artbeat Inc., and facilitator of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area founding, died Feb. 1, 2025.

Read More »

Stiff winds likely followed by rain showers over coming days

Ashland’s hiatus of dry days ends with five straight days with rain showers in the forecast, according to a National Weather Service forecast as of Wednesday evening. Showers are expected during the day Thursday and Friday, in the evening Saturday, night and day Sunday and during Monday’s Presidents Day holiday day.

Read More »

Our Sponsors

Klamath Bird Observatory Experience the wonders of Souteast Brazil Ashland Oregon
Conscious Design Build Ashland Oregon
Pronto Printing Ashland Medford Southern Oregon

Latest posts

Obituary: David Brian Shaw

Obituary: David Shaw, 78, former executive director of the Peter Britt Festivals in Jacksonville, founder of Artbeat Inc., and facilitator of nonprofit Mt. Ashland Ski Area founding, died Feb. 1, 2025.

Read More >

Stiff winds likely followed by rain showers over coming days

Ashland’s hiatus of dry days ends with five straight days with rain showers in the forecast, according to a National Weather Service forecast as of Wednesday evening. Showers are expected during the day Thursday and Friday, in the evening Saturday, night and day Sunday and during Monday’s Presidents Day holiday day.

Read More >

Are you gun and gun law savvy? Find out March 4

“Be Gun Smart… Whether or Not You Own a Firearm” is a free public program set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. The speakers will be Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler. 

Read More >

Our Sponsors

City of Ashland Public Notice Ashland Oregon
Ashland Parks and Recreation Ashland Oregon
Ashland.news House Ad

Explore More...

The city of Ashland’s police volunteer program, which had around 30 volunteers before the COVID pandemic, now has only around 10. Volunteers help put extra eyes on patrol areas such as Lithia Park and the bike path and help manage special events such as parades.
Oregon could have far fewer firefighters ready to battle blazes on federal lands next fire season — and may do less advance work aimed at mitigating the risk of large fires — due to the Trump administration’s hiring freeze and funding cuts, according to U.S. lawmakers.
“Be Gun Smart… Whether or Not You Own a Firearm” is a free public program set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Gresham Room at the Ashland Public Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd. The speakers will be Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and Jackson County Sheriff Nate Sickler. 
The Ashland Community Emergency Response Team will offer training on how to offer basic medical aid, including administering naloxone in case of opioid overdoses, on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12. The training is free and open to the public starting at 6 p.m. at Ashland Fire Station No. 1 at 455 Siskiyou Blvd.
City Corner: The 2024 city of Ashland list of accomplishments highlights numerous advancements and initiatives across various departments. Following is a summary of the key achievements, including completion of the wastewater treatment plant outfall relocation and UV system upgrades.
ashland.news logo

Subscribe to the newsletter and get local news sent directly to your inbox.

(It’s free)

Don't Miss Our Top Stories

Get our newsletter delivered to your inbox three times a week.
It’s FREE and you can cancel anytime.