Republicans to charge media to cover 2016 convention

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Representatives for news organizations who plan to cover next summer's convention are protesting a move by the Republican National Committee to charge news media organizations a $150 access fee for seats on the press stand.

Seats on risers constructed for newspapers, magazines, wire services and online print publications have been awarded without charge in the past. Representatives for daily and periodical press galleries in the Capitol protested Monday that the media "should not be charged to cover elected officials at an event of enormous interest to the public."

The four-day event will be held in Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena.

"We are concerned that the proposed fee smacks of forcing the press to pay for news gathering," said Heather Rothman, chairwoman of the Executive Committee of Periodical Correspondents, and Jonathan D. Salant, chairman of the Standing Committee of Correspondents. "We urge the (GOP convention committee) to follow the precedent of previous conventions of both parties and drop plans for an access fee so the press can continue to inform the public about a major news event."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/republicans-charge-media-cover-2016-convention-205502444--election.html

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Figures.

[Skittles]

1. these are the guys always screaming about FREEDOM

I guess only the freedom to buy guns whenever they want is what really counts

[Jim Lane]

12. Your comment about guns suggests a compromise

News organization personnel will be admitted for free, provided that they're packing. Those with assault weapons get the best seats.

[Skittles]

13. *HAR*

[katsy]

2. The news orgs should not attend. n/t

[SeattleVet]

3. +1

No 'pay to play' journalism.

They should probably pay the networks to carry their multi-day commercial message.

[Art_from_Ark]

14. They can play highlights from previous Republican conventions

[TygrBright]

4. Oh, this is gonna work out well...

[silvershadow]

6. They aren't the brightest bulbs in the box are they? nt

[SunSeeker]

5. Seems to me it is unethical for the press to pay that fee. They should stay away. nt

[pacalo]

7. That's a crappy reward after the media has willfully ignored their wrongdoings

for decades. The media's power of the pen could run them out of business.

[tomm2thumbs]

8. apparently they are hurting financially -- can't manage budgets?

sounds like they can't even do the little things right, how on earth will they be able to do big things right?

[appalachiablue]

9. Distantly related, this reminds me of textile workers many years ago who were charged

by their employer for chairs they sat in while laboring in garment factories. They were also docked for any broken sewing needles I read. With no where to go the women were at the mercy and whims of brutal owners.
Almost but not as severe as women garment workers toiling in India and Asia today. When I mentioned these conditions to working- middle class Indian friends in the US they said, 'and they beat them, with sticks.' The craven drive for more and more profit and exploitation. Does it ever end, probably not without very strong regulation.

[rpannier]

10. Wonder if this will apply to the Official Republican Propagandist Network

[countmyvote4real]

11. Something is brewing that they don’t want less beholding media to cover or critique.

We know they have no shame. While some established conservatives/donors might feel some chagrin about the anointed one being Trumped, the current GOP leaders may want to limit the discourse and various viewpoints of their crossover into oblivion.

Hey, it works with voter suppression and gerrymandering. “Limited access” and “pay to play” are the only strategies they know ever since they gave up governance and a duty to our country for a duty to their party’s 1% special interests.

It would be a truly sad narrative if it were not so comical and such a welcome denouement. Some of the rats are already squealing as they run away from their sinking ship and the ridiculous attempts to right its course.

Anyway, those donor funds have to go to something or somebody’s pocket before they dry up completely. That brings us to their core philosophy: make a buck off of anybody anyway that you can regardless of the outcome. The concept of a greater good is anathema.

And yet, this is the dumbest down America ever, so hope springs eternal (on both sides).

[davidpdx]

15. Fuck'em

The media shouldn't pay.

[Thor_MN]

16. Well, they are always in favor of letting "the market" decide...

I hope the media decides to not cover the convention and totally ignore it.

[TexasBushwhacker]

18. CAPITALISM! FREE TRADE!

It seems like they're hoping that Faux News covers it and no one else. They certainly don't want any INDEPENDENT journalists! Those guys are loose cannons!

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. People should let the media know they'll boycott any org that does pay

because it's our eyes on adverts, or our purchases of print copies, that would ultimately end up supplying the money to the Repubs.