At the City Council meeting on April 1, the Fullerton City Council voted 4-1 to implement a policy restricting the display of news publications in city facilities. The modified motion now allows only a single display rack for newspapers at the back of the library, adjacent to community notices. This ordinance was spurred by an email from an attorney representing a blog that claims it is going to start a newspaper and demanded legal action if the city denied them a rack at city hall. Read the email posted on the FFFF blog on January 20 below.
Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra, the sole dissenting voice, criticized the decision, arguing that it undermines First Amendment rights and exposes the city to potential legal challenges. He emphasized the potential negative impact on community access to local news, particularly for seniors, individuals with limited mobility, and those without internet access.
In a statement released to the media, Zahra said, “I voted against this policy.”
“I believe this is an encroachment on our First Amendment right of free speech and opens our city to liability. Only three cities in Orange County have enacted similar policies—one rescinded it after being sued. Further, this ban will remove our local newspapers from public view, making it harder for residents—especially seniors, individuals with limited mobility, and those without internet access—to stay informed on local issues.
“The ban will impact two local newspapers: The Fullerton Observer, founded in 1978, and The Daily Titan, a CSUF student publication. Until now, both were able to display their papers at City Hall, the library, and the community center, and have been the only papers to do so. These publications rely primarily on volunteer and student reporters, with The Observer dedicating sections to reporting by high school youth. This ban will diminish the visibility of their reporting and dampen the spirit of journalism in our community. It sends the wrong message to our younger generation about the value of civic engagement and free expression.
“While city attorneys are adept at finding legal loopholes that allow politicians to enact such policies—despite admitting to liability concerns—it doesn’t make it right. We must consider the ethical implications and the intent behind these decisions. This policy— like other actions we’ve seen in recent years, such as changing the council meeting time or limiting public comment—reduces transparency, restricts access to information, and discourages public participation in local government.
“I swore an oath to uphold our Constitution, both legally and ethically. Protecting our freedoms isn’t just a duty—it is a moral obligation.”
In light of this decision, community members are encouraged to attend or write (for the public record) city council meetings and support local journalism as a means of promoting transparency and civic involvement. Meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 pm. Upcoming agenda information and streaming video of meetings are available at http://www.cityoffullerton.com click on meetings and agenda. City Hall is located at 303 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton Contact Council at (714) 738-6311 or council@cityoffullerton.com.
To create meaningful change in our beloved Fullerton, we must first understand the dynamics of our city government. Knowledge is the key that opens the door to progress. When we arm ourselves with information, we empower ourselves to advocate for the improvements we envision. Together, we can illuminate the path to a brighter future and inspire one another to make our community the best it can be. Let us engage, learn, and take action to shape Fullerton into the vibrant city we all dream of!
Read the email posted on the FFFF blog on January 20 below.
January 20, 2025 A Step in the Right Direction FFFF Seeks City Hall Presence by Mr. Peabody
“We have recently communicated with the City of Fullerton, via our attorney Kelly Aviles, that FFFF wishes to put a periodic publication for dissemination in the lobby of City Hall; naturally, other City buildings such as the Community Center and the Library could be included.
“You’ve got mail!
Here’s the letter to City Manager Eric Levitt:Dear Mr. Levitt:
I hope this finds you well. I am writing to you on behalf of my client, Fullerton’s Future, who’s in the process of launching a new newspaper publication to serve the residents of Fullerton. As part of the marketing and distribution efforts, my client seeks to place a newspaper rack in the lobby of City Hall, similar to the arrangements that have been made with other local newspapers.
We respectfully request the City Council grant approval for my Client to install a newspaper rack in the lobby of City Hall. My Client has secured a financial commitment from a local businessman for a significant amount of private financing to launch this new business endeavor committed to contributing to the local community by providing important local news, restaurant reviews, business advertisements, and information that reflects the diverse interests of our city’s residents and their needs for alternative news sources. In addition, an application to form a new 501-c4 will soon be filed with the IRS for this venture.
Please let me know if there are any specific procedures or requirements that need to be followed to facilitate this request or if the Council has any preferences regarding the placement of such a news rack at City Hall. We are eager to comply with any guidelines you may have.
Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Kelly AvilesOf course, deploying an attorney suggests we mean business and might have to use legal redress if our request were to be denied. Why? Because the City currently permits the distorted and warped Fullerton Observer access to City premises.
“No news is good news…
“I can’t see the City employees being too happy about this, at least not the department heads who have so often embroiled the taxpayers in boondoggles and losing litigation.
Then there’s the likely apoplectic response from “Drs.” Zahra and Charles, should our request be approved
“I don’t know how long it’s been since City Hall faced real scrutiny of its activities. The denizens thereof must love them some obsequious Fullerton Observer. But the public deserves a new and much more objective option.”
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Categories: Community Voices, Education, Local Business, Local Government, Local News
Fiends For Fullerton’s Failure never even produced any paper. This whole thing seems like a sham for council majority, colluding with the Fiends to use as a pretext to attack The Observer. Speculation on my part but it wouldn’t surprise me at all.
I would be surprised if we ever see a “paper” from the Fiends.
The city could have produced content neutral rules that would have ensured only existing, established, high quality publications could qualify for a berth.
And certainly it belongs in the front of the library not the back. I mean, it’s a library. They have many periodicals there and it should be up to the library staff where they place a community paper, really unacceptable for pols to be weighing in on such choices.
In any event the issue wasn’t ripe. The time to react would have been if a fake Fiends for Fullerton’s Failure “paper” ever materialized.
Interesting that the one vote to preserve Free Speech rights came from the only councilmember who immigrated to the US 30 years ago from a country with a dictatorship. I was very impressed by Ahmad Zahra’s statement and action.
Why doesn’t the council table this until FFFF prints an issue?
Their weird blog is absolutely unreadable, littered with sexism, racism, and distortions. Would not hold my breath for them to get it together enough to publish an actual newspaper. Stick to your crappy properties, Bushala family.