Obama Campaign To Charge News Outlets For Election Night Coverage

Chicago Sun-Times:

WASHINGTON---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 for Grant Park coverage.

This is an outrageous pay to play plan that caters to national elite outlets with deep pockets.

Read the whole story: Chicago Sun-Times

Comments

[parkboyns]

Give me a BREAK?

Pffff, such weak sauce.

Obama should go back to his roots and hold an event offshore at Waikiki and make the media paddle out to him in canoes, lugging their camera gear along with them. How sick would that be? The guy wins an election and gives a speech while they are all just chill'n out on the ocean in their canoes. What up now McCain how's the Arizona desert treat'n ya? hahahahahha

But no the ENTIRE WORLD is wayyyyyyy too stupid and traditionalist to think of or socially accept something so incredibly cool. Screw the fancy suits and rooms. You know what this world needs? Creativity, and fun.

[thebluecrayon]

In order to judge this, it would be helpful to know if this is normal for election night events/many political events and, if so, what kind of prices have been charged in the past? Will McCain be charging these kind of fees and, if so, why hasn't that been reported?

But the main question on my mind is really how important is this is the grand scheme of things? Recesssion, Wars, Healthcare Crisis, Educational System in the toilet, 8 years using the Constitution as a pinata...I really need to prioritize my worrying these days ya know?

[booksnmore4you]

What is it about "cost recovery" that you do not understand?

[Kerris]

I don't see the problem. If you are being charged at-cost, no one making a profit, what're you moaning about? Will it be cheaper at the McCain tents?

[Talulazoeapple]

Cry me a river. Pay to play or sit in the back. This is the kind of president I want. One who actually covers expenses instead of Borrowing from CHINA to cover tax cuts to rich. But you would have to be a thinking American to even get this logic.

BoohooBoohoo.

Not buying it Sweet. You need more people!

[NTO08]

The press is not up for sale to cover Obama...that's not how it works in this country...maybe in Venezuela, or Cuba, but not in America...get a life!

[Carolab]

No, the press has been paid to cover Palin.

[elyely]

There is no buying of the press. Who is paying who? Press pays Obama for special seating. US$1000 is paltry sum for those big networks.

The press can still cover the event for free. Obama is just not footing the bill for the extra amenities the press will use.

[TSense]

If this is standard practice, I hope Obama is charging less than previous campaigns and giving opportunities for many news organizations. He has collected, and many at all levels have contributed, unseamly amounts of money to his campaign.

While I understand the fat cats must get their place, it would be nice if he invited some under $ 250 contributers. He should ask for such people and then have a drawing. I would say at least 10-15% of his attendees should come from such a pool !

This situation looks bad to me and smacks of you know what !

[NTO08]

Charging someone to cover you...a big FU to Obama and all the networks should say...:

You aren't getting on TV again for the rest of the campaign season..no coverage, no commentary, no videos of you, PERIOD!

[Ethics101]

Ahem, that's how it's done - on both sides of the aisle.

[Carolab]

Wow, just turn off your set, dude. That's what I do with Palin and McCain.

[rcpmac]

$935 is deep pockets? What? At that price I just may go for the fun of it. I can make a press credential on my mac in 5 minutes.

[NTO08]

You, and all the rest who think this is acceptable in a democracy should be locked up...now.

[Carolab]

Ah ha! Zee stasi hass srpraken!

[Mattylock]

According to Howard Kurtz, news outlets routinely pay for this kind of stuff. I guess because he raised so much money in September the press wants a freebie.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/21/obama_election_night_fees_set.html

[thebluecrayon]

It would be nice if Kurtz was just a bit more specific when he writes "News organizations routinely pay for such services, along with transportation and lodging, when their staff travel with campaigns." Does this quote mean news orgs pay every time they cover a rally or just every election. What kind of charges. Help us out Howie, most of us never heard of this kind of thing before.

[Carolab]

Does it matter whether it's rallies or just election nights? He says it's routine. He knew the topic of discussion WAS election night. Ergo, it's routine for election night coverage.

[NTO08]

BS.

[Carolab]

Howard Kurtz is a right-wing reporter. If he says the outlets usually pay for it, he's just being truthful, not "defending Obama". And, what's more, he's right. I worked in Journalism for 15 years. That's how it's done. Lynn Sweet is having a hissy spaz.

[lizaF]

Campaigns do not pay media expenses to cover their candidates. The media provide their own equipment, crews etc to cover events or pay the campaigns for plane rides etc. They go where the news is because news is money. That is why Palin got more coverage than Biden. The GOP did not pay the cost of her coverage. CNN, FOX, NBC did.

It is going to cost a small fortune to set up Grant Park with all the communications facilities necessary to cover this event, unlike say the Jazz Fest where only a sound system, portapotties, and security are needed. For $935 the reporter will get everything he needs to report his story, plus a heated tent, food, furniture, cable tv. I am confident that this will be a business expense and not come out of a starving reporter's pocket. If he does not want to pay the fee, he can go to a free press area. Look at it this way. The Obama campaign is actually providing more press space and not charging because it is in an less desirable area!

So until some actual data proves that these prices are way out of line, that is my spin and I am sticking to it.

Besides, World Series tickets for the Cubs were selling for $1000. $900 to report worldwide on a celebration for the guy who just might save our country seems pretty cheap.

[NTO08]

Sorry, he should be frozen out of all coverage by all networks...not ONE WORD about him from here on out...not a minute of face time, no commercials accepted on any network, nothing.

[DamageControl]

yea, cause that will bring a ton of revenue, get a clue will you.

[Carolab]

Be....because....because....I SAID so! Or else I'm gonna hold my breath until I turn blue!

[SouthPrairie]

At least this puts all media on a level playing field. Unlike the creepy policies of the Bush Admin., who reward their "favorites" while punishing those who actually ask questions that Americans would like an answer to. I would reference Steve Colbert's Washington Press Core dinner of 2006.

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-869183917758574879

Obama's smart. Put those thinly veiled pundits in their proper paid place!!

I'm going to love having a smart President!!

Obama/Biden '08

[NTO08]

Not smart...it's called playing Generalissimo Obama...shape of things to come?

No airtime...
No commercials run on any station.
No interviews allowed...

Frozen out...we'll see if Mister Pay for Play keeps this s--t up!

[Carolab]

Gee, dictate much?

[NotMcCain]

Front page headline is in error.

He's not charging the "reporters". He's charging the networks.

Seems like a small cost for people who are making millions in advertising dollars from his election. Why should he pay for them with our money that was intended for his campaign--NOT for the rather disgraceful broadcast media? Plus, they can certainly afford it.

[NTO08]

Irrelevant...he is off the air...for good.

[Ethics101]

Flagged for S-T-U-P-I-D

[AlaskasRevenge]

It's cheaper than a Palin's shopping spree

[folksonomy]

I lol'd

[Carolab]

It's cheaper than the plane and cab fare just to get to Saks and Neiman!

[Ramirez]

This is an excellent policy for Obama and it should be continued into his administration. The MSM is a commodity like anything else; if they want to make money off Obama airtime they should pay for their share of it.

[Just2Fitz]

Bingo.

They are now reaping what they sowed. They're trying so hard to keep those ratings above par that they continue to spar over non issues, but when he retaliates, they cry?

[NTO08]

Obama is running for office representing the American people and the networks provide a service to the public to show him...he is not allowed to charge for anything when it is the dissemination of information to the public...he is not a dictator...

Freeze him out, NOW!

[Carolab]

Anyone else feeling a chill?

[betabeta]

No sympathy here. It takes money to make money and the news media is not a non profit, they are in the business of making money... so go pony up and stop the belly aching.

[NTO08]

The media are regulated by the FCC, and as such, they are subject to the laws of the land, which dictate air time is to be bought by campaign, and not vice versa...no one has to pay to cover Obama in the media...period. If they do, he is off the air...

[Ethics101]

Wish I could see you have your "V-8" moment when you finally understand
the way it works. Meanwhile, check your blood pressure, you're scarring the
children!

[Carolab]

Palin gets a pass for the "media elite" crack and freezing out the reporters, but you are ready to draw and quarter O. A LEETLE bit one-sided, doncha think?

[LiberalDemIda]

Good!

I don't want my hard-earned donations and those of my sons going to pampered corporate media so they can get a good view of Obama, use megawatts of electricity and take pictures, perhaps get a single compromising one so they can sell newspapers and ad space for hundreds of thousands for something they get for free.

Sorry Lynn Sweet... Cry me a river already.

GObama/Biden '08/'12!

[NTO08]

The First Amendment doesn't permit this kind of dictatorial bullcrap you espouse...your measily little contribution is trumped by the right of the media to cover events without the hindrance of having to PAY to PLAY with candidates...NOT happening....the networks need to tell Obama...you try this stunt, you get NO coverage...and if you become President? Don't expect your Inauguration to be shown on American television or radio...that would shut this Chavez, Junior up fast!

[Carolab]

Measily? Is that like having a measles-like condition?

[LiberalDemIda]

Corporate Mainstream Media will bow to Obama's conditions and pay their fair share for electricity and space the Obama Campaign isn't gettin' for free either.

OR they can just stand outside with mics up in the air, gossip at will asserting their 1st Amendment Right or GO HOME. No news. No profit. No premium spots for their crew so NO loss to President Obama whatsoever. Nada. Basta.

You think they'll try to boycott the next President of the United States? THINK man.

If this was in any way, a violation of the First Amendment don't you think Obama and Biden, BOTH who are, unlike McSame and "what does the VP do?"Failin'-Palin, Constitutional Attorney's, would even attempt doing this?

For the record? The highest price they'd have to pay, and what's tax deductible for them, is $935 dollars. My "measly" NON-tax deductible donations combined was $1000 so if this is measly, in your not so humble opinion, then what the MSM have to pay for is teensy-weensy, ain't it?

Cry me a river, NTO08.