The city of Philadelphia yesterday approved an amendment to the the City Charter giving more freedom to the way city notifies the public about official notices, Philly.com reported Wednesday. The measure was passed by a two third vote.

Current law requires that public notifications of legislation are published in the city's top three paid circulation newspapers: The Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and the Legal Intelligencer.

The change to the charter was prompted by the bankruptcy filing of The Inquirer's and the Daily News's publisher, Philadelphia Newspapers LLC, as the council members hypothesised the closure of either publication. Other members found the physical publication of city notices redundant in today's largely digital age, according to Philly.com.

The Council also pointed out the cost saving potential of the change, as online advertising is significantly cheaper than print. In 2008, the legal advertising cost the city $1.2 million. The change gives the Council discretion to alter the notification rules.

Lawyers for both The Inquirer and the Daily News protested the change, stating the change would hurt the newspapers and the city residents who lack Internet connections, Philly.com reported.