we find that the public interest in protecting the privacy of noise complainants and in preventing a chilling effect on complaints, clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure of complainants' names, addresses, and telephone numbers. We therefore issue a peremptory writ of mandate as requested by City.

II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND


A. The Mercury News's California Public Records Act Request
City owns and operates the San Jose International Airport (Airport). In March 1998, the Mercury News, a daily newspaper of general circulation, sent a written request to Airport's director of aviation for disclosure of public records in accordance with the Act. In particular, the Mercury News sought access to the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of 215 individuals who had made written, telephonic, or email complaints about airport noise duringthe details, e.g., the nature of the complaints themselves."
Respondent court issued an alternative writ of mandate and order to show cause in April 1998. City filed opposition to the petition for writ of mandate. In its opposition, City argued that the airport noise complainants' privacy interest in their personal information outweighed the public interest in disclosure of their names, addresses, and telephone numbers. If this personal information was disclosed, City asserted, the complainants would be subject to harassment and intimidation, and the public's reporting of airport noise complaints would be chilled.
*557 In support of its arguments in opposition, City submitted copies of a number of letters it had received from Jon Rodgers (Rodgers), representing an organization called Aircraft Pilots of the Bay Area, Inc. (Aircraft Pilots). In his