What constitutes 'A Member of The Press'?

obrecki

I recently emailed a fairly mundane event by anyone's standards (agricultural event) and asked for press access to accommodate our video camera crew and still photographer (our company is a website) who would be highlighting the event, but was told that such access was only "for members of the press."

Can anyone tell what exactly that is? Does it solely refer to holders of an NUJ card?

Paulw

obrecki wrote: »

I recently emailed ...... but was told that such access was only "for members of the press."

Can anyone tell what exactly that is? Does it solely refer to holders of an NUJ card?

Members of the press are people who are associated with a press organisation (work for a paper) or supply to a press organisation on a regular basis (freelance or agency affiliated).

I don't hold an NUJ card, but am a member of the press.

If you can prove that your images/video will be used by a press organisation (newspaper, recognised website) then they may grant you access.

Syferus

Strange approach in this day and age. Plenty of blogs have more impact than many 'established' sources. A quick glance at an organsation's website or wares should be enough to tell if they're worth giving access to.

Paulw

Syferus wrote: »

A quick glance at an organsation's website or wares should be enough to tell if they're worth giving access to.

Many organisations don't go looking at every blog/website that applies for accreditation. The permit working press or those working for well known organisations.

Unfortunately, that's the way it is, and many organisations are tightening their rules for granting access.

obrecki

Thanks for the advice. Without naming it, our company, once the name is said is known instantly. We recently started a digital media department and have been met by multiple 'no's when asking events for press access. Yet, our traditional type press officers have no issues when trying to access events.

It's very frustrating.

lisatiffany

I cover a lot of events but don't bother with an NUJ card, for music I already know the managers and venues. When it comes to press events I just make sure to get clearance from whomever is running it, I've done so many that just dropping my name usually works because Dublin is a very small city. You do always find the one event or organizers who are just ridiculous to work with, ironically its usually the less important events so they shoot themselves in the foot by making it so hard for photographers or camera crew. I've seen people with NUJ cards being turned away from certain events, I was fine again because I did more than just show up unexpectedly with a card.

obrecki

lisatiffany wrote: »

I cover a lot of events but don't bother with an NUJ card, for music I already know the managers and venues. When it comes to press events I just make sure to get clearance from whomever is running it, I've done so many that just dropping my name usually works because Dublin is a very small city. You do always find the one event or organizers who are just ridiculous to work with, ironically its usually the less important events so they shoot themselves in the foot by making it so hard for photographers or camera crew. I've seen people with NUJ cards being turned away from certain events, I was fine again because I did more than just show up unexpectedly with a card.

Thanks for the reply. I totally agree with you, re contacting the organisers. I contacted them 3 weeks in advance as I personally loathe turning up on the day and expecting to be let in because of our name.

I think I will just telephone them because it seems a bit ridiculous. They barely get a mention on the news and here we are trying to give them free positive press.

pete4130

lisatiffany wrote: »

I cover a lot of events but don't bother with an NUJ card, for music I already know the managers and venues. When it comes to press events I just make sure to get clearance from whomever is running it, I've done so many that just dropping my name usually works because Dublin is a very small city. You do always find the one event or organizers who are just ridiculous to work with, ironically its usually the less important events so they shoot themselves in the foot by making it so hard for photographers or camera crew. I've seen people with NUJ cards being turned away from certain events, I was fine again because I did more than just show up unexpectedly with a card.

Let me in....do you know who I am?

Laughable.

humberklog

Spoofing seems to work for some but it's hard to figure if it works in gaining access or appearing to work to sound important.

Spooky spoofing.

Zillah

pete4130 wrote: »

Let me in....do you know who I am?

This is only funny when it doesn't work.

humberklog

Zillah wrote: »

This is only funny when it doesn't work.

No it's not. It's always funny. It's even more funny when it works in my thought.