The Indiana Publisher

disclaimer, "along with his other non-journalism revenue streams." David Keltz, another spokesman for Rokita, told IndyStar previously that just because someone receives a news release doesn't mean they'll be considered creden- tialed media. He added that Rokita's press conferences were meant for "actual journalists" and that the press conference regarding a robocall lawsuit Rokita had filed was live on Facebook. Any media who watch online, however, cannot ask questions. Shabazz warned that this issue doesn't just impact him. "If Attorney General Rokita can ignore this and ban me from his news conferences then he can do it to anyone in the press corps and that can't be good for democracy and transparency," Shabazz said in a statement. "If Rokita is going to call for transparency and more openness when it comes to Hoosier public schools, then the least he can do is prac- tice what he preaches when it comes to his own office." The lawsuit pointed out a previous rift between Rokita and Shabazz. Rokita initially refused to participate in a Senate primary debate moder- ated by Shabazz and hosted by the Indiana Debate Commission in 2018 during his unsuccessful Senate run. Shabazz said he is still barred from Rokita's press con- ferences. February 2022 Page 9 ACLU Continued from Page 5 The following questions were submitted by the Hoosier Media Group, B Square Bulletin (Bloomington), The Corydon Democrat: Do you have exam- ples of the information that should be included in disclosures for political ads? Under Indiana law (IC 3-9-3-2.5), the person or entity placing a political advertising must be identified in one of three ways: If the candidate or his cam- paign committee places the ad, then the ad must state it was paid for by either the candidate of his committee. If the ad is placed by some other individual or entity but has been OK'd by a candidate or his committee, then the ad must state who paid for the ad and state it has been authorized by the cam- paign committee or candidate. If the ad is placed by some other individual or entity but has NOT been OK'd by the candidate or his committee, then the ad must state who paid for the ad and state it was not authorized by any candidate or candidate's campaign committee. I'm working on some Open Door Law issues and wondered: Could a city council in Indiana enact an ordinance that requires all city boards and commissions (e.g., board of public works, board of public safety, redevelopment commission) to allow the public to speak at their meetings (not just attend and record)? It seems like home rule would probably allow it, but I wonder if the ODL is con- sidered to "occupy the field" with respect to all open meetings rules? Each governing body (local or state) can deter- mine their policy toward allowing the public to speak at public meetings. The Open Door Law prescribes the mini- mum requirement (allowing the public to observe and record). What happens across the state is all across the board: • Some units prohibit public comment; • Some allow at end of meet- ings; • Some allow by agenda item; • Some require an advance sign up; • Some limit time for each speaker. So there is nothing to prevent any local government unit from allowing public comment. I have run across something new to us as far as legal notices. An agency submitted a notice that includes a map to be published. They would normally be charged at a government rate, which I can do for the text of the notice, but how do we charge/setup the map portion? That is unusual. What you do is deter- mine the equivalent lines of space that the map will take up. For example, the map is two columns wide and 3 inches deep. You would determine how many lines of type would equal 3 inches (let's say it's nine lines to an inch). You'd then convert the map into 27 lines of 2 column width or 54 lines of single column width and on your publisher's claim form, you'd add those lines to the total lines of text that accompanies the map. Send your questions to Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel, skey@hspa.com or call (317) 624-4427. Q Each governing body can determine policy toward allowing public to speak at meetings HSPA Legal Hotline Q A person or entity placing a political ad must be identified in one of three ways A A Map included in public notice? Charge the equivalent for the lines of space it takes up Q A Your staffers can be added to the Indiana Publisher subscription list by emailing ads@hspa.com. "If Attorney General Rokita can ignore this and ban me from his news conferences then he can do it to anyone in the press corps and that can't be good for democracy and transparency." — Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, Indy Politics editor, publisher,

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