The New York Press Club is objecting to an advisory opinion from the state ethics commission that public relations professionals should file lobbying reports if they contact media seeking editorials to advance a client's position.
Club President Steve Scott says Friday the opinion undermines journalists ability to keep private the names of informed sources.
Before voting 10-to-3 for the opinion Tuesday, the commission deleted a reference to media consultants contacting reporters to push a client's message.
Commission officials say consultants would have to register and identify who's paying them to advocate on state policy matters or legislation, not to name media members or outlets contacted.
The lobbying opinion also applies to consultants' grass-roots organizing and introducing clients to public officials for advocacy.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
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