Central Florida news organizations urge OCPS to revise media policy

The Observer Media Group has joined a coalition of Central Florida-based news media organizations in a call for Orange County Public Schools to revise a district media policy that threatens press freedom, limits transparency and chills constitutionally protected speech. 

The Society of Professional Journalists has joined the outlets as part of its ongoing “Gagged America” project that documents the growing use of government policies that restrict employee speech and limit public access to information.

In a June 8 letter to district leaders, including Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez, the coalition raised concerns about OCPS Management Directive B-5, which appears to require employees to obtain approval before speaking with journalists. 

The groups argue the policy hinders newsgathering and deprives the public of timely access to information about its schools.

The letter cites several examples illustrating the policy’s chilling effect on communication, including one instance in which school officials acknowledged that a teacher could not share the date and time of a middle school band concert with the press — even though the information was freely shared with parents, friends and neighbors. 

In another case, “a school employee shared basic information and quickly regretted it, saying the ‘press department would eat him/her alive’ if he/she accidentally crossed a line, illustrating the chilling effect of the Media Policy. Multiple media outlets have also been flatly denied access to the superintendent.”

“A public agency may decide to authorize only certain employees to speak officially on its behalf, but that does not mean it can censor everyone else who works for the agency from talking with reporters,” SPJ Executive Director Caroline Hendrie said. “It is past time for leaders of government agencies at all levels — school districts among them — to show they reject such misguided gag rules and respect their employees’ right to free speech.”

The coalition said the policy creates a chilling effect on employee speech; delays access to routine information; and reduces transparency for parents, taxpayers and the broader community. 

SPJ also notes silencing public employees raises heightened concerns in taxpayer-funded institutions, where restrictive speech policies remain widespread despite running afoul of the First Amendment. 

The coalition recommended that OCPS revise its media policy to:

• request that employees notify the district’s Public Information Office about media inquiries rather than requiring prior approval to speak;

• affirm employees’ First Amendment rights, including the right to speak as private citizens on matters of public concern;

• clearly state that employees will not face discipline for speaking with the media; and

• provide training to help employees interact appropriately and effectively with journalists.

The coalition argues that a more balanced policy would better serve OCPS, its employees and the community. In the letter, the coalition requests a meeting with district leaders to develop an approach that encourages communication, protects free speech and strengthens public trust.

OCPS RESPONSE
In acknowledgment of the letter, Vazquez said: “We value our longstanding relationship with local media partners and share your commitment to ensuring our community receives timely, accurate and transparent information about our schools. 

“At the outset, we want to be clear: Orange County Public Schools fully recognizes and respects the vital role of a free press,” she wrote. “We also recognize the rights of our employees as private citizens. Our procedures are not intended to suppress speech or limit transparency but rather to ensure that information shared on behalf of the district is accurate, consistent and does not disrupt our primary mission of educating students. 

“As a large public-school system serving more than 200,000 students, we regularly manage complex and time-sensitive situations involving student safety, privacy, and legal compliance,” Vazquez wrote. “Our media procedures are designed to: 

• protect student confidentiality in accordance with state and federal law; 

• minimize disruptions to the learning environment; 

• ensure that information shared as official district communication is factual and complete; and 

• coordinate responses during time-sensitive or sensitive situations where incomplete or inaccurate information could cause confusion or harm. 

“Importantly, the procedures do not prohibit employees from speaking to the media,” she wrote. “Rather, they establish a process for coordinating official district responses and ensuring that employees who choose to speak about district-related matters do so with appropriate context and support. Employees are also expected to distinguish between personal opinions and official district policy. 

“We acknowledge, however, that any policy must be implemented in a way that supports clarity, responsiveness and trust,” Vazquez wrote. “Your feedback is helpful, and we agree there is value in ongoing dialogue about how to balance transparency, operational needs and legal responsibilities. 

“To that end, we are committed to: 

• reviewing our current procedures to ensure they are clearly understood and appropriately applied; 

• continuing to provide timely responses to media inquiries while respecting deadlines whenever possible; 

• reinforcing training for staff so they feel confident and supported when interacting with the media; and 

• engaging in continued conversation with media partners to strengthen our working relationship. 

Since this response, coalition members and the SPJ have been working to schedule a meeting with Vazquez. However, those efforts have not proven effective as of Friday, June 12.

Read the coalition’s letter below.