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Henderson city employees could be fired for talking to a news reporter under a new and highly unusual policy.

Media and civil-liberties advocates criticized the clause as an effort to control the news and intimidate employees.

The policy makes Henderson unique in Clark County, where no other city nor the county itself threaten to fire employees for speaking.

City Manager Jacob Snow, who approved Hendersons media contact and response policy in September, said he did not recall the firing clause.

But Snow said he was not surprised or concerned by the language and wants all media questions referred to official spokesmen.

Snow said the city has not fired or disciplined anyone for talking to a reporter and added he would be surprised if anyone were fired. He said only very irresponsible comments, such as releasing confidential information, would warrant firing.

But even if the city never carries out the threat, advocates said, its likely to make employees afraid to talk about routine matters or to blow the whistle on improper actions inside government.

Its not just a threat to employees, said Barry Smith, executive director of the Nevada Press Association. Its really a threat to the media as well: Hey, dont talk to our employees, because if their name shows up in your story, were going to take it out on them.

That hurts not just the media but residents who rely on journalists to be their eyes and ears, Smith said.

Tod Story, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said employees should be protected from retribution so long as the information they share is true.

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Speak to the press and you might be fired, Henderson tells city employees