Student Media Policy

Student Media Policy

The City of Syracuse seeks to provide the highest quality services to residents and to listen to and communicate with the public in helpful and transparent ways. The news media can be effective public information partners. As such, the city will respond media inquiries to the best of our ability in order to provide timely and complete information. Student journalists are encouraged to visit syr.gov/news  to view press releases to become familiarized with the City's public communications or visit the city’s public meetings schedule to learn about and participate in public meetings where information is shared. Journalists are also encouraged to visit the city’s Open Data Portal at opendata.syrgov.net.

This policy establishes guidelines for how student journalists should engage with the City for the purpose of reporting the news. This policy governs City department heads, department-level public information officers (PIOs), members of boards, commissions, and committees and other City employees. This policy does not extend to the Office of the Auditor, Citizens Review Board, Clerk or the Common Council.

Media Inquiries

Interviews for classroom projects can sometimes be accommodated. For questions about matters of public interest, the Communications Office can field responses on behalf of department, division and bureau directors. Those inquiries should be made to press@syrgov.net at least 48 hours in advance. The press email should always be included in emails for interview requests.

For all interviews, the following information will be helpful to ensure that the inquiry is addressed appropriately:

  • Name; associated class or media outlet (Daily Orange, NCC News, etc)
  • Deadline for the story
  • Medium through which the story will run (print, digital, broadcast…)
  • Expected date when the story will run (and link, if possible)
  • Contextual background for the piece shall be provided in advance when it is for a story that is not currently in the news
  • Options for if the interview can be done over the phone, in person, on camera, or in written form (with the questions to be asked provided)

Authorized Persons

Email media inquiries should be made in writing to city public information officers at least 48 hours in advance of a request deadline.

Authorized PIO Contact Information

Syracuse Fire Department: sfdpress@syrgov.net

Syracuse Police Department: media@syracusepolice.org

All Other Departments: press@syrgov.net 

FOIL Inquiries

Not all information is available via a media request. If the information being requested is not public information, the media inquiring should be directed to submit a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request. FOIL inquiries should be directed to the Office of the Corporation Counsel at: By email: law@syrgov.net, or by mail at 233 E. Washington St., 300 City Hall, Syracuse, NY 13202 or online via the city’s website.

 

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