If you’re a blogger and you’re covering news events in New York City, you’re now able to obtain a press pass.
FishbowlNY reports that City Hall will now issue press passes to online journalists to cover events where the public is denied access.
Under the proposed new rules, an applicant must show that he or she has covered, in person, six news events where the city has restricted access, within the last two years. The new rules cover employees of traditional news organizations as well as self-employed journalists and others who report the news. The new press card will be issued every two years.
I’ve written before about phony press passes, used mostly by freeloaders trying to get into events for free food and entertainment.
New York City’s decision is a huge victory for bloggers, even though it resulted after a lawsuit. Let’s hope other cities extend the same courtesy.
Not everyone agrees. Twitterer @Bert_deVolontat calls it “a lack of respect for professionals.”
What do you think? Should bloggers and other online journalists receive press passes?
How does your organization deal with this issue? Do you let bloggers attend for free? How do you ferret out the phony journalists from the legitimate ones?
As a blogger and a “new media” journalist, I know it will be abused. The requirement is easy to fulfill for anyone who has some free time.
However, I do see at local and national events, a lot of “real journalists” who regularly abuse the privilege of the pass because they are “Real media” and feel the media badge/pass is a right not an honor or a privilege.
it is nice to see that at least one city is getting with the program and recognizing people get their news from a variety of places.
I would love to see local press clubs actively campaigning to extend these press passes to local bloggers, though I doubt that would happen.
I have to say that I find @Bert_deVolontat’s comment (“a lack of respect for professionals.”) to be quite offensive. I know many bloggers who are every bit as professional in terms of the quality of their coverage of news, events, and destinations, as any traditional media writer.
I do think the program should have, and enforce, qualifcations, but Bert needs to remember that digital media is a viable platform and the future of publishing. Generalizing and bashing all bloggers is just plain ignorant.
I agree, Trisha.
Many in the traditional media are frightened by the increased competition from bloggers. Many bloggers already have scooped newspapers, magazines and TV and will continue to do so.