The development and implementation of a public information program, conducted and carried on by the city of Richland, and designed for the sole purpose of informing the public as to municipal programs, policies, issues and activities, is declared to be in the public interest, and is hereby authorized subject to the conditions set forth in this chapter.
(Ord. 59-76 § 1.01)
The content of any information, either written or oral, disseminated pursuant to the public information program authorized in RMC § 2.56.010 shall be balanced, factual and objective. No personal or subjective opinions shall be expressed which either promote, support or oppose any program, policy, issue or other municipal activity; provided, that nothing contained in this section shall prevent a balanced, factual and objective statement accurately reflecting all sides of any program, policy, issue or other municipal activity.
(Ord. 59-76 § 1.02)
The content of any information, either written or oral, disseminated pursuant to the public information program authorized in RMC § 2.56.010 shall relate only to programs, policies, issues and other activities directly associated with, or affecting, municipal government within the city of Richland and shall be disseminated for informational purposes only.
(Ord. 59-76 § 1.03)
No elective official of the city of Richland nor any employee of the city shall use, attempt to use, or authorize the use of any facilities or equipment forming a part of the public information program authorized in RMC § 2.56.010, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of assisting his campaign for reelection to the office he holds, or for election to any other office, or for election of any other person to any office, or for the promotion of or opposition to any ballot proposition; provided, however, that nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to prohibit the presentation or dissemination of balanced, factual, and objective information relating to ballot propositions which are directly associated with, or affect the municipal government of, the city of Richland, and such presentation or other dissemination otherwise meets the standards herein provided.
For the purpose of this chapter, "facilities" and "equipment" include, but are not limited to, use of stationery, postage, machines, use of employees during working hours, vehicles, office space, publications, and clientele lists of persons served by the city.
(Ord. 59-76 § 1.04)