By Rebecca Wallis,
Newberg, OR – October 22, 2024
One of the foundational principles of the United States is the freedom of the press, a civil right guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This freedom is not just a privilege for large media outlets or major news organizations. It applies equally to all journalists, whether working for a national newspaper or a small, local news outlet like Yamhill County News.
Yet, despite this constitutional guarantee, I have faced a troubling reality here in Newberg—one that raises serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of our local government. Over the past few months, I have been repeatedly refused recognition as a legitimate member of the press by city officials. Their refusal to admit me to executive sessions, even after I complied with their requirements, is not just an issue for me personally—it strikes at the heart of what it means to have a free and independent press in our community.
The Constitutional Importance of Press Freedom
The freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment, which ensures that journalists can report on issues of public concern without fear of government suppression. This right is fundamental to a functioning society, where the press serves as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable and ensuring that the public has access to the information they need.
When local governments attempt to obstruct or exclude the press from public meetings or executive sessions, they are not just infringing on the rights of individual journalists—they are infringing on the rights of every citizen who relies on a free press to stay informed. The press is often the bridge between government actions and the public’s right to know. Denying that access fosters distrust and weakens the relationship between the public and those they elect to serve them.
My Experience as a New Journalist
As the owner of Yamhill County News, I am proud to be part of a growing movement of independent local journalists committed to serving our community. Yes, I am a new journalist, and yes, Yamhill County News is a new media outlet. But new does not mean illegitimate. Yamhill County News is a legally registered business with the State of Oregon, and my news outlet is also registered with the City of Newberg. Despite meeting all legal requirements as a news entity, I have faced continual roadblocks and bias from city officials who refuse to recognize my role as a legitimate member of the press.
When I requested to attend an executive session of the Newberg City Council on July 18, 2024, I was denied entry, despite following all of the steps laid out by city officials. I was told that my news outlet was not considered a legitimate news source. Both the Mayor and the City Manager even referred to my newspaper as a “blog,” a dismissive term that reflects their personal opinions rather than a factual or legal assessment of my credentials as a journalist.
The Butler Property and Lack of Transparency
In my opinion, the City of Newberg refused to allow me into the executive session because I would have discovered that they were trying to hide how they marketed a surplus piece of property called the Butler property. The city had received an unsolicited offer on the property and decided to open it to other solicitations. However, instead of following the state-mandated public notice requirements for surplus property as outlined in ORS 221.725 (link to ORS), the city failed to provide the public notice required by law.
The resolution authorizing the disposition of the Butler property specifically directed the City Manager to begin the disposition process and to file any and all necessary public notices in accordance with the requirements of ORS 221.725. However, the City Manager did not file a public notice in the legacy news organization historically used by the city for such purposes, The Newberg Graphic.
To date, the City still has not filed a public notice for the Butler property. Instead, they hired an out-of-town real estate company and are now receiving higher bid prices for the property, despite not posting the public notice in The Newberg Graphic. This raises further concerns about the city’s commitment to transparency and following state-mandated procedures. Without the required public notice, and without local media attention, the public would have no idea that the city government staff and council were not following state-mandated protocols on this surplus property. This lack of transparency is a violation of the public’s trust and a direct consequence of the city’s efforts to keep the press out of key discussions. Had I not been denied entry, it would not have become a topic of question. The action provided a catalyst to dig deeper into the reasoning behind the city refusal to attend executive session. Thus, through investigative efforts, the discovery of lack of proper process in listing the property and the defiance of following the authorization listed in the resolution approved by the council was found.
Manipulation and Moving the Goalposts
What makes this situation even more concerning is the way the Mayor and the City Manager handled my request for recognition. They continually moved the goalposts, first stating that I would be recognized as a media representative once I completed their questionnaire. I complied with that requirement, but then they shifted the process, stating that they would wait for a letter of advice from the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) before acknowledging my status.
This slow-walking of their response was clearly designed to delay the process, pushing the timeline beyond the 30-day window during which I could file a valid complaint against the City. By stalling and changing the requirements, they made it difficult—if not impossible—for me to file a complaint within the required time frame. This is not just frustrating; it’s manipulative. It allowed the City to dismiss me without recourse, protecting themselves from accountability and undermining the principles of transparency and fairness that should guide local government.
A Statewide Problem with Media Access
This issue in Newberg is not an isolated one. Across Oregon, government agencies are increasingly pushing back against media access to executive sessions and public meetings. A recent administrative rule clarification from the OGEC regarding whether news media can attend executive sessions via Zoom has sparked outrage among many government agencies, who see it as an intrusion on their ability to control the flow of information.
This growing resistance to news media is creating an environment that is not transparent, one where public agencies are attempting to shut out the press and limit public oversight. The role of the press is to shine a light on government actions, and any effort to block that access should concern every citizen. When government agencies try to control which media outlets are allowed in, or whether they can attend virtually, it not only violates the spirit of the First Amendment but also erodes the public’s right to know what their government is doing.
The Broader Implications
The City’s refusal to recognize me as a news representative is part of this larger trend—an alarming attempt to control the narrative by determining who gets to report on public business. This is deeply troubling. When government officials start picking and choosing which journalists are “legitimate,” they undermine the very purpose of a free press. The press does not serve at the pleasure of government officials; it serves the public interest.
Moreover, the press does not need government approval to exist or to operate. The First Amendment is clear: freedom of the press is an inherent right, not a privilege granted by those in power. When local officials begin to obscure this right with arbitrary rules or personal opinions, they not only violate the rights of the press, but they also deny the public access to information they deserve.
The Need for Transparency and Accountability
What is most concerning about my experience with the City of Newberg is the lack of transparency. Even after I requested that the decision to exclude me be brought before the entire City Council for a vote, the Mayor refused. In a council-manager form of government like ours, decisions about public access should not be left to a few individuals. They should be decided by the elected council members who represent the interests of the public.
The role of the press is to hold government accountable, and that cannot happen if journalists are denied access based on personal opinions or undefined processes. This issue goes beyond me—it’s about ensuring that the press can operate freely and without interference so that we can keep our community informed.
Moving Forward
It’s time for the City of Newberg to establish a clear, transparent process for determining media access to executive sessions. More importantly, it’s time for city officials to recognize that they do not have the authority to decide who is and is not a legitimate member of the press. That authority lies with the Constitution, and it’s non-negotiable.
Press freedom is not just an abstract principle—it is a vital tool for democracy, one that ensures accountability and transparency in our government. As citizens, we should demand nothing less.
Photo Credit: Yamhill County News File
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