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Sept. 23, 2024 <br />Mayor Amezcua and Santa Ana Councilmembers: <br />I am writing to respectfully request that the city revise its media policy in an acknowledgment <br />that photojournalists' efforts to deliver the news should not be restricted by the government. <br />The Orange County Register has covered the county, and especially Santa Ana, for nearly <br />119 years and has done so in a responsible, journalistically ethical manner. The city's policy <br />might be intended to help the public in some way, but it actually hurts the citizens of Santa <br />Ana by limiting and even dictating how stories that are important to them are told. <br />Our photojournalists have been assigned to cover everything from dangerous fires to high <br />school football games, and they are respectful of the conditions, those around them and any <br />safety issues involved. There is no need to restrict them to a small area at the back of the <br />council chambers to keep them from interfering or creating a safety hazard. <br />The current policy also punishes professional photographers who have advanced equipment. <br />If they simply shot photos off their phones, the policy would allow them to do so from the <br />crowd, but because they have better equipment they are restricted? That encourages a lack <br />of professionalism. <br />I'm certain this was not the intention, but the current media policy leaves the impression that <br />the City Council has something to hide. You serve the public to help the people of Santa Ana, <br />just as we serve our readers. Transparency is the best approach for all of us. <br />Thank you for your consideration. <br />Sincerely, <br />Todd Harmonson <br />Senior Editor <br />The Orange County Register <br />The Orange County Register/Southern California News Group <br />1920 Main St., Suite 225, Irvine CA. 92614 (714) 796-7000 <br />