At last, the media is beginning to realize just how it will be treated in the event of an Obama Administration:
The Obama campaign is putting a hefty price tag on the best camera and reporting positions for news organizations covering Barack Obama’s outdoor election night activities in downtown Chicago. If a reporter wants access to the file center–which will be the best place to find Obama officials and spokesmen–be prepared to write a check for $935. The cheapest place a reporter could stand on a riser with a view is $880.
That $935 covers one reporter in a heated file tent, power, cable tv, internet and food. I am told by an Obama spokesman who did not want his name used that this just covers costs and they are not turning a profit on this. The planners could have built in more al a carte options.
This is an outrageous pay to play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets.
I am not asking for a free ride–but this is pricey and does not take into account some reporters won’t need power, cable, internet or food but will crave the access more than the food. As I was talking to this unnamed spokesman about this enormously expensive set-up, he did say–that a news outlet could rotate people in and out of the tent on that one credential. Great.
A general media area will be created where a reporter could watch for free, but the set-up is separate, unequal and clearly second class when it comes to getting top access to campaign people.
Doubtless, the Obama people think that covering Obama is a privilege and an honor, one that the media will gladly pay through the nose for. On the upside, perhaps such displays of arrogance will convince the media to stop covering for the Obama campaign’s gaffes. Hope springs eternal, anyway.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
I disagree.
deltar (Diary) Wednesday, October 22nd at 8:42AM EST (link)I disagree entirely with your view that it is wrong to charge reporters for the expenses incurred in providing them services.
First, when the news outlets get everything free it ties them too closely to the campaign. In essence the campaign is buying favorable coverage by schmoozing (sp?) the reporters with food, internet connections, etc. etc. I don’t care for this cozy relationship between the press and candidates. If the press is a paying customer then just maybe they will keep the public informed of everything that is happening, not just the parts that shine the rosy lights on the candidate.
Next, how many reporters can you expect the campaign to service for free? I’d bet that hundreds or many a thousand outlets want access to the presidential candidates. A good capitalist would see this demand and raises prices to break even (at least). Me, I’d raise prices to what ever the market will bear. Superbowl tickets are expensive.
As to the idea of free access being second tier, that’s just tough. You want better service, you pay for first class and you get cloth napkins and silverware. You want cheap you get a paper napkin and a plastic spork. That’s the American way.
Wrong deltar
blogan (Diary) Wednesday, October 22nd at 8:52AM EST (link)Obama is giving a package deal. Yes, if you strictly look at it, you’re paying for those luxuries. But in reality, you’re paying for the priviledge to be close to the top officials. Obama could set up a Merry-go-round and charge $500 per ride, and if all his officials stood on the Merry-go-round all night, plenty of reporters would pay $500 to ride.
And that fact that this is coming from a campaign that likes to spout “transparency”, it’s just hypocritical.
True Obama supports will not mark their ballot on Election Day. Voting “Present” is how The One would like you to vote.