Yes

by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: September 12, 2009

Some of the greatest traditional journalists have, at some point in their careers, encountered difficulty in getting press credentials. The greatest independent and on line journalists have been, at times, hampered by lack of press credentials. But posting extremist messages to Google Groups or just setting up a website does not qualify a person now, and it should not qualify a person in the future.

The fact that a skilled journalist is not affiliated with a major newspaper or journal should not prevent access to events that would enhance their fact finding and information gathering abilities. In some cases, government agencies are proving to be irregular and unfair in issuing press credentials. This is not the time for withholding credentials to qualified journalists, since so many journalists are being laid off. Many are finding opportunities to work independently on line, or to work in other non traditional publishing venues. Others have been independent publishers and journalists for some time.

As far as access to "Congress", access for "citizen journalists" should be limited to those who actually are journalists, who can prove that they are present for legitimate journalistic activity, and who are not activists who are trying to gain access in order to engage in obnoxious and disruptive political activity. There is limited space and there are security issues involved.

So those who post online and who are looking to get a cheap and easy press card are in for a big disappointment.

New York city, for example, issues two kinds of press cards: a "working press card" which allows a reporter to cross police lines to attend crime scenes, parades, demonstrations and other events that are controlled by the police. The other card is a "press identification card" which does not carry special privileges, but identifies an individual as a member of the press. The second card applies to journalists who need identification but who do not cover breaking news or do on the spot news coverage.

A legal precedent in support of press credentials for "citizen" journalists was set last January, in a lawsuit against New York city. Rafael Martnez Alequin, Ralph E. Smith and David Wallis prevailed in a federal lawsuit which asserted that the New York city police department was inconsistent and unfair in issuing press credentials.

As a cautionary note, all three of the New York citizen journalists are professionals who have impressive track records. Mr Wallis runs a syndication service that sells articles worldwide to over 1,500 journals. Mr. Smith has a website for Black law enforcement officials and has a background as a public information officer for New York city's department of corrections. Mr Alequin published the Brooklyn Free Press, and now publishes the New York Free Press and it's related blog "Your Free Press".

In another case, World Net Daily is a controversial website. Ironically, the "reporters" for World Net Daily have recieved press credentials in 2002 for access to "congress". A panel of journalists called "The Correspondent's Committee" is appointed by Congress to check the legitimacy of "journalists" who are seeking credentials. The rules for press accreditation for Congressional credentials state that

"publications operated, funded or affiliated with tax-free special interest or issue advocacy groups do not qualify for accreditation."1

The committee also found that WND did not meet the threshold where Internet publications "must provide daily news with significant original reporting content."2 After appeal to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, the press credentials were granted.

These cases demonstrate that every level of government, and every type of public or private event can require issuance of press credentials. Different types of credentials are issued, based on the type of access being afforded. Differing standards must be met, depending on the type of journal and the qualifications of the journalist. Organizers of private events may be all over the map in deciding whether to issue press credentials, and have every right to allow whom they please.

Internet and independent journalists who are "citizen journalists" are not being afforded press credentials on a consistent basis. But they can earn credentials if they are legitimate and publish material that meets basic journalistic standards.

For the amateur journalist who has no real education, training, track record, or other journalistic credentials, it should be difficult to gain access to important events and places. Amateur on line publishers should earn their "citizen journalist" credentials before being allowed the extraordinary access to important places and events that is traditionally given to the press .

New York Times "After Police Relent, Bloggers Get Press Credentials" Jan 9, 2009

1. The Free Library "Galley Gatekeepers: The Politics Of Press Credentials" Nov 1, 2002

2. Ibid

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