Proposed Int. No. 1072-A
By Council Member Brannan
A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to press access in city hall
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. The introductory chapter of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 2-a to read as follows:
§ 2-a. Press access in city hall. a. Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
City hall. The term “city hall” means the building that opened in 1812 and serves as the seat of the government of the city, located in the park bounded by Broadway, Park row, Centre street, and Chambers street.
Press. The term “press” means persons who gather and publish or broadcast news, regardless of the medium used therefor.
b. Press room. 1. There shall be a press room located within city hall, designated for the press to use in gathering and reporting on news concerning city affairs, and other related activities in connection therewith.
2. The press room shall be located in the east wing of the first floor of city hall in the room that is commonly known as room 9 and that functioned as the press room of city hall on June 30, 2024.
3. Adequate space in the press room shall be reserved for use by members of the press.
4. No changes in press access to the press room shall be valid unless made with the joint approval of the mayor and the speaker of the council.
c. Supplementary space for press. Additional space in city hall may be designated for use by members of the press as needed to support press coverage of city affairs. Such additional space shall be designated as a supplement to, and not in lieu of, the press room.
d. Rulemaking. The commissioner of citywide administrative services may promulgate rules regarding the care and maintenance of the press room and other areas in city hall designated for press use.
§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.
EH/JG
LS #15502
10/9/2024 9:40 AM