RivCo City May Require Journalists To Get Approval To Cover Disasters

HEMET, CA — Journalists covering disasters in Hemet may soon be required to obtain special permission in advance under a new proposal from the city council.

The resolution has already faced criticism from First Amendment advocates and media organizations, but some city officials argue it is necessary to keep untrained individuals out of potentially hazardous situations.

Council members have proposed a credentialing process that would be managed by the Hemet Police Department, which would ensure that only "qualified journalists with verifiable credentials can access restricted areas." The process would require background checks and employer verification, igniting concerns that the policy would conflict with the rights of the press.

According to California state law, the city is obligated to allow media access to certain disaster areas — excluding active crime scenes — as long as their presence doesn't interfere with emergency operations.

At a Feb. 25 Hemet City Council meeting, City Attorney Steven Graham said the resolution stemmed from a suspected arson incident near Stoney Mountain Ranch, where an uncredentialed individual claimed to be a member of the media.

Since the incident was also considered an active crime scene, city staff struggled to determine whether the person should be granted access to the area.

Graham said the council's resolution "attempts to balance the city's legal obligations," First Amendment rights, and the free press with the "practical realities of having individuals in disaster areas."

He cited concerns that untrained individuals could interfere with evacuations or require rescue by emergency personnel, diverting resources from those in immediate danger.

"I understand our police officers' concerns," councilmember Joe Males said at the council meeting. "We have all these wannabe news agencies or groups that want to be on site when something happens and a lot of times they give misleading information."

Males mentioned a fire incident in which a group erroneously reported that an entire community needed to evacuate, which incited panic from residents.

"Our police just want legitimate people out there doing the job instead of just anybody that has a phone," Males said.

Graham said the council received a letter of concern and criticism about the proposed policy from the Los Angeles Press Club. Graham added that a member of the club also called City Hall "on a day when we did not have office hours," and that he hadn't had the opportunity to speak with the organization.

Adam Rose, press rights chairperson for the Los Angeles Press Club, wrote in his Feb. 24 letter to the council, that there were several issues with the resolution.

“Existing state laws provide a framework for addressing virtually all known incidents I’ve been able to identify statewide for the past several decades,” Rose's letter reads, according to The Press-Enterprise. “This includes limiting liability in your favor by warning about safety concerns but then permitting press to access disaster areas. Ultimately, a little bit of training for individual law enforcement agencies can go a long way.”

The First Amendment Coalition also shared concerns about the resolution, the newspaper reported.

"It does appear to be highly unusual and largely unnecessary, because it’s already covered in state law," the coalition’s legal director, David Loy told The Press-Enterprise. "Duly authorized members of the press have a right of access to areas that are otherwise closed, due to wildfire, earthquake or other natural disasters."

Amid concerns presented to the council, Graham said that a decision wasn't needed right away.

The Hemet City Council postponed a vote until further notice, which would allow Graham time to meet with the LA Press Club and other concerned organizations.

"I do take those concerns seriously," Graham said.