Comments on: Online media lobby for equal access to Minnesota House floor

By: Freedom of the press but not in MN House of Representatives « Mary Turck

Freedom of the press but not in MN House of Representatives « Mary Turck — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:25:38 +0000

[...] to press credentials. Representative Tony Sertich (D-Chisholm), chair of the House Rules Committee explained: “If it’s somebody who designs their own Web site and comes down to the Capitol, … we could [...]

By: Alan Muller

Alan Muller — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:42:06 +0000

This is a battle that needs to be fought until it is won (!)

By: George Hayduke

George Hayduke — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:03:27 +0000

I’m sure Erik Eskola will be there with scarf in hand to support this bill. Not.

http://minnesotaindependent.com/12671/video-independent-media-not-welcome-at-coleman-media-availability

By: Journalism happens, often online « THE SAME ROWDY CROWD

Journalism happens, often online « THE SAME ROWDY CROWD — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:16:51 +0000

[...] is practicing journalism has nothing to do with the method by which they distribute that work. As Paul Schmelzer wrote at the Minnesota Independent: The notion that the media platform should determine who gets to be on the House floor is riddled [...]

By: Jane McClure

Jane McClure — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:04:08 +0000

that’s neighborhood. . . sorry about the spelling but some of us are slogging from budget meeting to budget meeting today. . . I seem to be hitting a county-state-city trifecta in a 12-hour period

By: Marty Owings

Marty Owings — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:02:27 +0000

Paul – Thank you for writing about this important issue. I thinks this speaks to the fundamental access of the Press and of our democracy. It is unfortunate that in meetings where the public is encouraged to attend, we the Press, cannot even stream live. TO be clear, this seems to be a problem in the House. On the Senate side things are much smoother and we are given unrestricted access to their hearings etc.

For whatever reason, we seem to be getting stonewalled. i don’t want to speculate, I just want this resolved. We are here everyday trying to bring our online viewers, listeners and readers unique content. We’re out EVERY DAY, which is more than I can say for some of the so called mainstream media.

We need people to step up and let these law makers know that it is no longer acceptable to restrict online Press access. Support HRA 007.

By: Jane McClure

Jane McClure — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:53:46 +0000

Riddled with problems, indeed. The bloggers today are facing the same access problems that that urban neighbborhood, suburban and ethnic and special interest community papers have faced for many years. We St. Paul neighborhood papers had to battle to even get ONE desk in the St. Paul/Ramsey County City Hall/Courthouse press room. And don’t get me started about access to information.
It isn’t the government’s job to decide who is and who does not meet their definition of what is and is not media. If they need to make rules, work with the media community to do so.
Universal rules are needed but as someone who has had to argue for . . . well, decades, for equal access, I’ll just tell you it isn’t easy and your so-called major media colleagues will be of no help to you. . . unless THEY need something.