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LA Billboards Off the Charts

Times columnist blasts industry's 'well-lawyered hissy-fit' against city count

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2008 3:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – Billboards are out of control in the City of Angels, Pat Morrison writes in the Los Angeles Times, and an industry with almost no accountability is again fighting city efforts at regulation. Giants Clear Channel and CBS Outdoor are throwing a "well-lawyered hissy-fit" against an effort to make the location and description of every billboard in LA public knowledge.

The industry claims exact locations of billboards is a trade secret, and enjoys the support of city attorney Rocky Delgadillo—described by Morrison as having “benefited from the billboard industry's generosity.” Delgadillo says he’s for full disclosure, but fears “huge damages” the city could be forced to pay if a judge sides with the industry after information is made public.

The masked face of a luchero, or Mexican wrestler, is depicted on a billboard for an energy drink, April 6, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.
The masked face of a luchero, or Mexican wrestler, is depicted on a billboard for an energy drink, April 6, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.   (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
An advertisement for the Oscars is displayed before the famous Hollywood sign 23 January 2007 in Hollywood, California.
An advertisement for the Oscars is displayed before the famous Hollywood sign 23 January 2007 in Hollywood, California.   (GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
Clear Channel Communications Inc. headquarters are seen in San Antonio in this Aug. 8, 2006 file photo.
Clear Channel Communications Inc. headquarters are seen in San Antonio in this Aug. 8, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)
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