Paying for Election Coverage

Both the McCain and Obama campaigns are charging the media for election night coverage.

According to ChicagoBusiness.com:

“A memo sent to news organizations on Tuesday by the Obama campaign says credentials will cost $715 to $1,815, depending on whether electrical and phone lines are needed and whether an indoor or outdoor seat is requested for the event, which is expected to be held outside the evening of Nov. 4 in Grant Park.”

According to SportsShooter.com:

“Workspace in the [McCain] Press Filing Center Workspace may be available for a fee. Space is limited and not guaranteed. The ESTIMATED cost is $695 per person. 

Workspace will include: Table space, Power, Wi-Fi, Cable TV viewing, Food and Beverage service throughout election day. And if you were dismayed by the Obama situation it’s much worse at McCain. There is NO option for free coverage. None.”

Comments from media photographers via the SportsShooter.com forums:

“This is an absolutely moronic decision given the fact that Obama has gotten such a free ride from most of the journalism world during his camapaign. Most of the major networks are all but campaigning for the guy, so you would think that he would issue them guest passes and send a limo to the airport for them rather than charge them a fee for access.”

“How long will it be before we see this on the local level? Can we soon expect mayoral candidates to begin charging members of the media for election coverage? What about covering a school board election. And why stop at election coverage? When will they begin charging fees to cover the presidential state of the union address? Your governor’s state of the state address? Mayor-attended ribbon cutting ceremonies?”

Interesting time to be a news photographer.