Local Government Managed Communication

The City has developed a draft Strategic Communications plan.  This plan establishes a framework and the priorities for enhancing external and internal communications. It identifies target audiences as well as identifying and integrating traditional and technology base communications across the City. It ensures that communication efforts are well coordinated, managed effectively and responsive to information needs. Some of its objectives include:

  • Assessing citizen attitudes, perceptions and information needs.
  • Support, develop and promote the City's website.
  • Increase programming on the City's government access channel.
  • Maintain positive working relationships with the media .
  • Increase the City's visibility and unifying image branding initiative.
  • increase public awareness of City Services, programs and activities.
  • Improve communications with non-english speaking populations and promote the City's diversity.
  • Improve dissemination of critical information to the public and media during emergencies.
  • Ensure compliance with the Virginia Freedom of information Act.
  • Establish a permanent communications Team comprised of liaisons from City Departments. 

The plan specifics address the use if City Channel 48, website and Radio Station 1700 AM.

Cable Access Channels

In 1996 a fifteen-year franchise was negotiated with Cox Communication for three education and government channels. The franchise continued the allocation of School’s and City channels on the subscriber system as well as operation of the stand alone Institutional Network (I-NET) for the exclusive use of the City and Schools. The subscriber system and the I-NET have been upgraded to state of the art fiber optics in accordance with provisions of the current franchise agreement. The agreement with Cox Communication is "non-exclusive", which allows for more than one company to provide cable services in the City of Newport News.  The City has approved franchise agreements with Verizon and Cavalier, creating more competition and cheaper prices for the residents. 

The City has a modern cable TV studio on Minton Drive that provides state of the art facilities to produce programs about City activities that run on City Channel 48.

Website

In 2005, the City overhauled its website using Open Source tools to provide Web programming and management of Web interfacing with databases. This allowed Webpage content to be created and maintained by the City Departments so content would remain fresh and accurate. The e-Gov team trained over 120 content authors to use the new tools and build their site. The e-gov website was implemented in 2007. The Newport News website is www.nngov.com.

In the future, the Communications and Community Relations Division of the City Manager's Office plans to use the website for video streaming of City Council meetings and possibly an e-newsletter.  

Radio Station

Because communication with the public is interrupted during storm events , the city purchased a radio frequency, 1700 AM, and operates its own radio station. During non-emergency times, it provides information on emergency preparation and special events occurring  in the City. City Channel 46 carries the same information as 1700 AM in a text message format.  The Community Relations Division of the City Manager's Office develops programming for the radio station for use during non-emergency times.