NYSBA to NYPD: Give Journalists Access to Information in Real Time

Since 2023, the NYPD has been deploying new digitally encrypted communications systems that prevent journalists from accessing these signals, making it nearly impossible to provide live reports on law enforcement activity.  It prevents broadcast and newspaper journalists from informing citizens about life-threatening events.

After several years of lobbying, the NY City Council passed Local Law 46 in January 2026.  It requires the NYPD to develop a policy providing access to journalists and citizens. The NYPD must implement an access policy within a year of the law’s enactment. 

In July, the NYPD published a plan to implement the law.  As discussed below NYSBA has filed extensive comments with the NYPD on this proposal.

The NYPD plans to hire a vendor to create an online portal that allows for access to “non-sensitive” police communications.  It proposed a two-tiered approach. 

It would maintain an open, unencrypted Citywide 1 channel that would provide information in real time to citizens and journalists.  Because this channel will be open to all citizens, NYPD is unlikely to provide important dispatch information about events involving law enforcement activity in the neighborhoods in real time.  The key issue will be access to borough and precinct communications.

Access to precinct and borough communications would be limited to journalists and media organizations that have received a MOME press pass (standard or reserve credentials) and qualify for protection under the NY State Shield law. (NY Civil Rights Law 79h).  The NYPD would govern access.  Journalists and media organizations would be required to sign an “Acceptable Use” agreement with NYPD, stating they would not abuse access.  Journalists abusing their access privilege can have their access revoked.  

The NYPD’s proposal contains an unacceptable one-hour delay before allowing journalists access to “precinct and borough information.  A one-hour delay means that most journalists will arrive on the scene after law enforcement activity is over.  It effectively prevents journalists from providing live reports on police activity and events that may pose a danger to the community.  No other major city that has encrypted its communications has enacted a one-hour delay to professional journalists.  To do their jobs, journalists should have access to precinct and borough dispatch information in real time.

There are a number of issues regarding the NYPD’s proposed policy.  For example, we are concerned about the definition of “sensitive” information, the process for granting and revoking access to communications, and the time it will take to create an online access system.  These concerns are discussed in detail in NYSBA’s comments.

Given NYPD’s reluctance to provide meaningful access to communications, we are working with the NY City Council to amend Local Law 46.  New legislation (Int.1025 of 2026) has just been introduced in the City Council by Councilwoman Gail Brewer.  We are also urging Governor Hochul to approve the Police Radio Transparency Act (A.11199A/S10079) that passed the NY Legislature and will guarantee journalists access to communications in jurisdictions across the state. 

While we have had several conversations with NYPD, its proposal prevents broadcast journalists from informing the public about law enforcement activity in their neighborhoods.  The proposal is inconsistent with the intent of Local Law 46.  In addition, the NYPD’s policy conflicts with a broadcaster’s public interest responsibility to meet the needs of its communities. 

You can see NYSBA’s comments submitted to NYPD here.

You can see NYPD’s initial proposal here.

 You can see NYPD's revised proposal with the proposed “Acceptable Use” agreement here.    

You can see Local Law 46 here.

You can see proposed legislation before the NY City Council (Int. 1025 of 2026)to allow greater access here.

You can see the Police Transparency Act, which passed the NY Senate and Assembly earlier this year here.

You can access our previous stories on the subject here.