Chapter 1.5. News Coverage Of Governmental Agencies of California Government Code >> Division 7. >> Title 1. >> Chapter 1.5.

It is the public policy in this state that public administrative agencies exist to aid in the conduct of the people's business and that the proceedings of public administrative agencies should be conducted openly and in an orderly manner so that the public may remain informed. In enacting this chapter, the Legislature finds and declares that the orderly use of broadcasting, telecasting and photographic equipment at proceedings of public administrative agencies serves this public purpose.

Radio and television stations shall be permitted to broadcast and telecast, either directly or by means of transcriptions and film, the proceedings of all meetings and hearings, other than adjudicative proceedings conducted pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, of all state, county, and municipal administrative agencies that are required by law to be open to the public, provided that cameras and other equipment used at the meeting or hearing must operate silently and not require auxiliary lighting. Any such agency may waive the provisions requiring silent operation of the cameras and other equipment or excluding auxiliary lighting for such cameras and other equipment. The chairman or presiding officer of the agency may require pooling of equipment when he deems it necessary to limit the number of pieces of equipment for the orderly conduct of the meeting. Meetings of, or hearings by, administrative agencies to consider the appointment, employment or dismissal of a public officer or employee or to hear appeals by or complaints or charges brought against such officer or employee shall not be subject to the provisions of this chapter.