Okla. Admin. Code § 377:3-1-47

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 377:3-1-47 - Media access to OJA

(a) The Director of Communications, or, if unavailable, the Executive Director, Chief of Staff, or designee shall grant the news media access to a juvenile under conditions which ensure:

(1) the preservation of the juvenile's right to privacy;

(2) the preservation of the juvenile's confidentiality; and

(3) the maintenance of order and security when the juvenile is in an out-of-home placement.

(b) The Director of Communications shall consider the following factors when making a decision regarding media access:

(1) the nature of the inquiry;

(2) whether the best interests of the juvenile are met; and

(3) whether the best interests of the public are met.

(c) The Director of Communications shall decide whether to grant or deny media access within 48 hours of the request, excluding weekends and holidays.

(d) Whenever possible, parental permission shall be obtained prior to a juvenile's being interviewed. If parental permission cannot be obtained, the Executive Director or Chief of Staff may grant approval for the interview.

(e) When an interview with a juvenile is requested by the media, the Director of Communications, after consulting with the appropriate superintendent, group home supervisor, or district supervisor, shall approve or deny the media's request according to the provisions of rules contained in this Part.

(f) The guidelines for media activities with juveniles are as follows:

(1) all juveniles have the option to decline to be interviewed or filmed;

(2) no filming is to occur that could result in the juvenile's being identified through facial exposure unless written permission is obtained from the:

(A) juvenile;

(B) parent/guardian, or, if the parent is unavailable, the:

(i) Executive Director/Chief of Staff; or

(ii) judge from the court county of jurisdiction.

(C) Director of Communications or designee.

(3) a ranking staff person shall accompany film crews and intercede in any filming effort that could identify a juvenile, i.e., facial exposure;

(4) activities of media personnel while in an out-of-home placement must be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of order and security;

(5) staff may agree to be interviewed and filmed (in private, if desired) by media personnel on authorized visits to the JSU office, group home, or institution; and

(6) at times of disorder within a residential facility, media access to the facility may be postponed if OJA or the facility believes that the media's presence would prolong or contribute to the disorder.

(g) The Executive Director or Chief of Staff may exempt the limitations in (e) of this Section if he or she considers it necessary, as long as statutory limitations are met.

Okla. Admin. Code § 377:3-1-47

Added at 14 Ok Reg 1842, eff 6-2-97; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 2646, eff 7-1-98; Amended at 16 Ok Reg 2957, eff 7-12-99; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1392, eff 7-1-07; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1981, eff 7-15-11