Anniston places restrictions on media access to city department heads

The city of Anniston has instituted a new media policy which restricts reporters from talking directly with city department heads without first submitting a request to the city manager or the cities public information officer.    Also, all open records requests must be referred to the city clerk, who must then obtain authorization from the city manager before releasing any information.   Anniston is the only city in the area to implement such a policy. 

City officials say the new policy was not about trying to control the media or silence city employees. .

The city manager has said the policy is a way to promote consistency and accuracy in reporting among city officials. He said journalists will still be able to talk with city department employees, but he wants to make sure he's in the loop so that the

city's message will always be clear.