The inauguration of Barack Obama next month is expected to attract record crowds and now comes word that some journalists may not receive credentials to cover the event.

From the Politico.

Inaugural planners warned the public Monday to be prepared for massive crowds, long delays and the closure of bridges and Metro stations on Jan. 20. There’s a warning for the press, too: Those credentials you requested might not be available.

While every day seems to bring another report of media layoffs and buyouts, the Senate press galleries say they’ve received an unprecedented number of requests from journalists seeking to cover Barack Obama’s inauguration.

The galleries plan to start saying no this week to those who don’t qualify for credentials.

“We’re going to have to be very stingy this year,” said Mark Abraham, the deputy director of the Senate Press Photographers’ Gallery.

Although the Senate Radio-Television Gallery did not respond to requests for information, the Senate Daily Press Gallery said it has had three times the usual number of applications; the Senate Press Photographers’ Gallery has had about four times the usual number; and the Senate Periodical Press Gallery reports receiving approximately 10 times the usual number of requests.

There was a similarly large demand for credentials to cover the Democratic National Convention last summer so this shouldn’t be anything new.  Also the large crowd size may actually hinder the journalists as they try to cover the event so they may be better off watching the proceedings on television.

 

 

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