April 1, 2013 The Honorable Patti Jo McKay Presiding Judge Los ...

Letter of The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press andNational Press Photographers Association, April 1, 2013Page 2The Association of Alternative Newsmedia (―AAN‖) is a diverse group of 125alternative news organizations covering every major metropolitan area and other lesspopulatedregions of North America. AAN member publications reach more than 50 millionactive, educated and influential adults in print, on the web and on mobile devices.The Associated Press Media Editors (―APME‖) is an association of editors atnewspapers, broadcast outlets and journalism educators and student leaders in the UnitedStates and Canada. APME works closely with The Associated Press to foster journalismexcellence and to support a national network for the training and development of editors whowill run multimedia newsrooms in the 21st Century. APME is a nonprofit, tax-exemptassociation under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code. APME is on the front linein setting ethical and journalistic standards for newspapers and in the battle for freedom ofinformation and the First Amendment.The California Broadcasters Association (―CBA‖) is the trade organizationrepresenting the interests of the over 1000 radio and television stations in our state. TheCBA advocates on state and federal legislative issues, provides seminars for membereducation and offers scholarship opportunities to students in the communication majors.Many of our stations have extensive news operations and CA Vehicle Code Section 40008puts them at legal risk each day for doing their jobs. This code section jeopardizes not onlynews reporters at our stations, but anyone who carries a camera, tape recorder, or other kindsof electronic equipment as a requirement of their employment.The California Newspaper Publishers Association (―CNPA‖) is a nonprofit tradeassociation representing the interests of nearly 850 daily, weekly and student newspapers.For over 130 years, CNPA has worked to protect and enhance the freedom of speechguaranteed to all citizens and to the press by the First Amendment of the United StatesConstitution and Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution. CNPA strongly opposedAB 2479 (Bass), the legislation that established the enhancements at issue in this matter.The E.W. Scripps Company owns 19 network affiliated television stations andSpanish language stations across the country, including ABC and Azteca affiliates in SanDiego and Bakersfield. Scripps also owns daily newspapers in 14 markets, includingVentura and Redding. The company also operates web operations to support all of itsnewspapers and television stations.The Society of Professional Journalists (―SPJ‖) is dedicated to improving andprotecting journalism. It is the nation's largest and most broad-based journalism organization,dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards ofethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow ofinformation vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the nextgeneration of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech andpress.