Davids proposes independent office, quarterly reporting, and anti-retaliation rules

I'm just going to briefly outline our proposed recommendations for the office and for amendments to

Over time, because you have a lot to say.

Go ahead.

Thank you, Chair Brewer.

The New York Coalition for Ethnic and Community Media calls on the New York City Council to amend Local Law 83

of 2021 to establish a transparent, independent, and enforceable system

governing city advertising expenditures, the selection of media recipients, and the oversight of advertising agencies and other contractors spending taxpayer funds.

The proposed amendments should, one, establish an independent office of ethnic and community media outside of the mayor's direct authority.

Require quarterly public reporting by the independent office for every city agency and every contracted advertising agency.

Require disclosure of every recipients of city-funded advertising, including ethnic and community media outlets, influencers, and other digital recipients.

Establish uniform verification, reporting, and accountability requirements for influencers receiving taxpayer-funded campaigns.

Prohibit political favoritism, editorial coercion, and retaliation in advertising allocation and press access.

Strengthen enforcement of the minimum 50% mandate for ethnic and community media advertising and improve waiver oversight.

Establish an independent complaint, appeal, and audit and investigation procedures.

Require transparent advertising placement criteria and written explanations for exclusions,

protect public records and require the preservation of advertising-related communications,

and lastly, commission an independent review of advertising allocations since January 1, 2026, including the reported decline by publishers.

The coalition's position is that the city cannot claim to support ethnic and community media

while leaving publishers without an office to contact, an explanation for disappearing advertising, or a process to challenge decisions affecting their livelihoods.

The law must provide enforceable protections regardless of which administration controls City Hall.

I thank you.

Thank you very much.

I know you'll be submitting that, and it's a wonderful list.

I think about half of it we discussed in this, but there's still other parts to it.

So thank you so much.

Thank you.