MEDIA ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE

WSIS II Tunis Phase,
16 - 18 November 2005
Kram PalExpo, Tunis, Tunisia

No media badge will be issued by the WSIS Press Office to journalists whose application does not strictly conform to the established procedure.

Applying for media accreditation

The accreditation procedures for WSIS and official WSIS-related meetings are based on those established by the United Nations.

Each journalist ¹ must submit an individual application and is requested to complete the entire Accreditation Form. The Form must be returned with all of the following documents:

• A letter of assignment signed by the Editor-in-Chief (or the News Editor for radio/TV); or, for freelancers, a letter from the Editor-in-Chief recognizing that the journalist in question is a contributor of a recognized, bona fide media organization;

• A photocopy of a recognized national/international press card valid at least to the end of 2005;

• A copy of an internationally-recognized proof of identity with photo (passport or national ID card).

Copies or links to two articles/reports published within the last 6 months, for which the journalist is credited, may also be requested.

Each accompanying staff member (sound engineers, cameramen, support staff, etc.) must also complete a separate Accreditation Form and return it with:

• A letter of assignment signed by the Editor-in-Chief (or News Editor for radio/TV)

  And

• A copy of an internationally-recognized proof of identity with photo (passport or national ID card).

Independent film/video production companies can only receive media credentials if officially mandated by a television station by a letter of assignment. Tapes of broadcast programmes crediting the requesting production company may also be required.

Fast-track accreditation is granted to members of the UN Press Corps (with a valid UN press accreditation). However, while these journalists do not need to resubmit the supporting documentation listed above, the accreditation form must nonetheless be completed and returned to the WSIS Press Office.

The WSIS Press Office must be satisfied that anyone applying for media accreditation, whether through the normal or fast-track procedure, is a professional journalist and represents bona fide media. The WSIS Press Office reserves the right to request supplementary documentary evidence to be able to establish the status of applicants. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decisions of the WSIS Press Office are final.

Who can submit press credentials

Only editorial staff of newspapers, magazines, press agencies and online publications, as well as press photographers, TV and radio crews may be accredited. All others, such as management, marketing or advertising executives of newspapers/magazines, researchers, authors, editors of directories, etc. cannot be granted media credentials at WSIS. Media accreditation will not be given to the information outlets of non-governmental organizations.

Media credentials are granted to journalists from recognized media, defined as follows:

• Newspapers and magazines: media available to the general public, published at least 6 times a year by an organization whose principle business activity is publishing, and which generally carries paid advertising.

• On-line publications: original, news-oriented material available on the Internet whose entire content is refreshed regularly and extensively at least every two months (rather than simply updating pages) and whose access is public and either free-of-charge or at a cost that is commensurate with what readers might pay at a newsstand for a newspaper or magazine. Online media must also have a specific, verifiable non-web address and a telephone number.

• News wire services: An organization that provides news coverage to subscribers, including newspapers, periodicals or televisions.

• Broadcast organizations (radio and television): organizations whose news and information programmes are broadcast to the general public either through terrestrial broadcast or by satellite.

Pre-event accreditation

It is strongly recommended that you register prior to the event in order to avoid unnecessary delays in receiving your badge or in gaining entry to the premises.

Where to send the form

Fax: +41 22 730 5201

The accreditation form is available here.

Contact

WSIS Press Office
International Telecommunication Union

Badge collection

In order to collect your badge, you must present a valid, internationally-recognized proof of identity with photo (passport or national identity card).