§ 98-48. Issuance and revocation of press or media identification cards.

(a)

Issuance. The police chief or the chief's designee is authorized to issue press or media identification cards entitling the holder thereof to pass police lines for the purpose of gathering and editing spot news or photographing news events in the city. Such press or media identification cards shall be issued to those engaged in gathering reports, editing or photographing current news events for newspapers, press associations, newsreels, television stations and radio stations.

(b)

Revocation.

(1)

The police chief or the chief's designee is vested with the authority to revoke any press or media identification card for improper use thereof by the holder, and upon notice thereof to the employer it shall be the duty of the holder and the employer to immediately surrender the press or media identification card so revoked.

(2)

Any abuse or willful violation of these stipulations by the holder or the employer may result in revocation of the card.

(3)

A revoked card may not be reinstated to a media representative without a letter from the representative's employer stating why the card should be reinstated. Reinstatement of a revoked media identification card will then be left to the discretion of the police chief or the chief's designee.

(c)

Penalty. No person shall counterfeit or imitate or attempt to counterfeit or to imitate any such press or media identification card so issued by the police chief or the chief's designee nor shall any person use or exhibit or attempt to use or exhibit any such press or media identification card or any card similar in appearance thereto for the purpose of obtaining press privileges or of passing police lines without authority of the police chief or the chief's designee nor shall any person represent that such person is a holder of such press or media identification card, unless such person is the actual authorized holder. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be subject to a fine up to $1,000.00.

(Ord. No. 2008-55(08-O-0878), § 1, 7-14-08)

Note— Formerly § 98-47.