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RELEVANT LINKS: <br />League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo: 5/10/2019 <br />Newspaper Publication Page 20 <br /> G. Using a web site to meet publication <br />requirements <br />Minn. Stat. § 331A.03, subd. <br />3. With two exceptions, cities cannot meet legal publication requirements by <br />posting notice on a web site. <br />See Part III-section A-4 <br />Advertisements for bids for <br />requirements of alternative <br />dissemination of bid <br />advertisements, requests for <br />information, and requests for <br />proposals. <br />Minn. Stat. § 429.041. <br />One exception provides that when required, cities may disseminate <br />solicitation of bids, requests for information, and requests for proposals <br />through its web site. However, to use this alternative dissemination, strict <br />statutory requirements must be followed. The second exception is even <br />more limited and allows advertising for bids on a special assessment <br />project in a web or electronic recognized industry trade journal. <br />Minn. Stat. § 331A.02, subd. <br />5. If a city’s official newspaper has a web site, as a condition of accepting <br />and publishing public notices in the newspaper, the publisher must agree <br />to post all notices on it s web site at no additional cost. This is a <br />requirement upon the publisher, and does not in any way affect a city’s <br />publication requirements. <br /> IV. Working with the news media <br /> Cities can take several steps to have effective relationships with the news <br />media. The following items should be kept in mind. <br /> • Be available to answer reporters’ questions. <br />• Return calls from the media promptly. <br />• Know and respect reporters’ deadlines. <br />• Don’t play favorites with a particular reporter or newspaper. <br />• Designate one or mo re spokespersons and ensure that all <br />spokespersons provide consistent answers. <br />• Use press releases and press conferences effectively—don’t overuse <br />them. <br />• Anticipate the questions the media will ask so you can have answers <br />ready. <br />• Be truthful. If you don’t know the answer, say so. If you need to find <br />information and call the reporter back, that is okay. <br />• Keep the message simple. <br />• Don’t say, “No comment.” <br />• Don’t assume that any comment is “off the record.” <br />For more information or tips, <br />contact Don Reeder, <br />Assistant Communications <br />Director at dreeder@lmc.org <br />or 651-215-4031. <br />It’s easy to understand why many public officials are uncomfortable when <br />talking to the news media. After all, the reporter’s article may reach and <br />influence the opinions of many readers. But it’s important to remember the <br />public has a right to know what its government is doing. Most reporters <br />are trying to write an article that is accurate and interesting, as well as <br />informative.