Jeff De Cagna sent me a link to this article over the weekend about an association's response to a blogger in their press room: Real Estate Blog Squad: NAR Boots Blogger Out Of Press Room
What's the big deal, NAR? You're giving away news, who cares who prints it or blogs it?
I suspect that the booting was a move to placate the mainstream media. Something they felt forced to do to keep good relationships with the major publications in their industry.
I do think blogs present a interesting conundrum for association executives and meeting attendance policies. What would you do if a blogger requested a press pass to your annual meeting or convention? What would you do if the blogger was also a member?
November 02, 2005
Bloggers not yet members of "the press"
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5 comments:
I am the blogger who was booted from the press room. Actually, the members of the mainstream press who became aware of what happened were highly supportive of my position and expressed great dismay about the incident. For the record, I am also a REALTOR, an associate member of the National Asnn. of Real Estate Editors, and I have a long background and resume in print journalism. I believe that NAR's actions send a strong statement that they do not like what I have to say, much of which is contrary to their consumer-unfriendly political agenda.
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Frances. Having a little more context, if it had been me making the decision, I would have allowed you in the press room. But I can also understand NAR's position. For the record, were you attending as a member or on a press pass?
My requests for press privileges went unanswered, never denied, just plain ignored. I paid a full convention registration and wore a full-time hat as a blogger. I attended press briefings, conducted interviews, and continue to blog about the show.
I see you got an apology from Steve Cook at NAR. I assume you'll be asking NAREE to help get the policy changed?
NAREE was highly supportive from the outset and the folks there tell me that the issue is high on their agenda. I trust that a thoughtful discussion of the matter will lead to a set of reasonable compromises over a course of time.
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