Salt Lake County Republican Party Media Credentialing Policy

  • Purpose
    1. The purpose of this media credentialing policy is to establish guidelines about when, how and who may attend SLCo Republican Party meetings in an official press capacity. 

 

  • Eligibility
    1. Correspondents must be: 
      1. Employed by an accredited news organization that is incorporated as a legal entity as a news publication, radio station or television station; OR
      2. A freelance journalist that has been sponsored for a particular piece to be published by a publication that would be otherwise eligible under these rules; OR
      3. The publisher of their own independent news media site, podcast or show in which they are identified by name; AND 
      4. At least 18 years old 

 

  • Process
    1. Interested applicants who qualify under 2.a.i or 2.a.ii must submit a letter on company letterhead (an emailed attachment is acceptable) confirming their employment and request for credentials from a member of that publication’s masthead, legal owners or otherwise publicly named leader. The letter should include each journalist’s name, title, phone number and email address. Prior to Nov. 1, 2023, this provision will be waived on the condition that an applicant can clearly demonstrate their employment/affiliation with a specific media entity. 
    2. The media member will complete and sign a form prior to being credentialed that includes, at a minimum, a certification that they have read and agree to this policy, their personal and professional social media handles and any relevant URLs for stations or other platforms on which they will publish information. 
    3. An approved applicant’s status will remain valid for one year from the date of approval. 
    4. For subsequent meetings that the correspondent wishes to attend, he or she must email the Party Secretary at secretary@slcogop.com by 5pm at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting of his or her intent to attend in order to properly prepare credentials. The Chair reserves the right to waive this requirement. 
    5. The Salt Lake County Republican Party is not responsible for renewing or reminding credentialed media of the expiration date of their media credential. 
    6. At the direction of the Party Chair, correspondents who fail to follow this process may be asked to leave the meeting in question by the Party Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or their designee. Members of the body who have an objection to the credentialled status of a member of the media may provide justification and argument to the Party Chair. The Party Chair is the final arbiter of the credentialled status and the attendance of any member of the media at a Salt Lake County Republican Party meeting. 
    7. Guests of members or other members of the public will be required to certify that they are not acting in a news media capacity in order to attend a meeting without meeting these requirements. If someone reports on the status of the meeting for the purpose to engage an audience, promote a position/outcome, or criticize what is occurring, they are considered a member of the media, even if such reporting occurs on a personal social media account.
    8. The presence and related outlet will be announced for any credentialed media member at the beginning of the meeting. 

 

  • Behavior
    1. Credentialed correspondents will observe the proceedings from the area of the venue the farthest away from the front of the meeting so as to create as much space for the proceedings of credentialed members of the meeting as possible. 
    2. Credentialed correspondents will not make audio or video recordings of any meeting without express, written permission from the Chair or when permitted through the rules of a specific meeting (i.e., state convention). 
    3. Credentialed correspondents will wear their badge in a visible place at all times. 
    4. Any news piece that is published or broadcast based on the meeting which the credentialed media member attended must allow 
      1. any individual who is named, or otherwise identifiable as a specific individual, must be allowed to provide comment for inclusion in the reporting if they desire. If the individual is the specific target of reporting or editorial, the ability for that individual to provide comment must happen prior to publication. 
      2. reasonable access for the Salt Lake County Republican Party (or named Republican Officers) to published content without being blocked. This includes personal or professional social media of the credentialed media member if used for the purpose of disseminating news.
    5. If the media is paywalled, info@utgop.org will be provided a subscription free of charge to paywalled content which is informed by, generated from, or otherwise related to the attended GOP meeting/event. 
    6. The Salt Lake County Republican Party Chair may update this document and process at any time. While updates will be communicated appropriately, changes may take immediate effect if the Chair so decides. 
  • Certification
    1. You will be required to certify receipt and compliance with this policy prior to being credentialed. Your signature will indicate acknowledgment of and commitment to abide by the requirements of this document.
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