Media Accreditation Update

Given the recent legal case in new Brunswick that said Bloggers are journalists, I sought media accreditation as a Blogger for the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa.

Here is what I was advised by the Secretary of the Press Gallery:

• "Thank you for your note. I would invite you to contact "X" in the press gallery at [Phone number] if you wish to apply for accreditation in the press gallery. He can also brief you on the criteria for membership. In order to qualify for membership, an applicant must not only be a journalist but must also meet a series of criteria, including being assigned to cover Parliament Hill on a full time basis. Many senior political journalists from across Canada do not meet the criteria for entry because they are not based in Ottawa and do not cover federal politics full time."

So then I tried with the BIIG guy at the BIIG team in Ontario and with Transport Canada's media spokesperson since there is a big press conference in Windsor over the border issue:

• 1) -----Original Message-----
  From: Ed Arditti
  To: Mark Butler ; Salmons, Steve (MTO)
  Sent: Mon Nov 27 09:21:05 2006
  Subject: Media accreditation
  
  Following the New Brunswick legal case involving Charles LeBlanc stating that Bloggers are "journalists," please provide me with Media accreditation for your Department's events.
  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/27/business/media/27blog.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1164636918-5enYkqKp14umhDQO27z00A&oref=slogin
  
  My Blogsite is http://windsorcityon.blogspot.com/
  
  Ed Arditti
  
  
  2) ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Salmons, Steve (MTO)"
  To: Ed Arditti
  Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 10:36 AM
  Subject: Re: Media accreditation
  
  
  Ed, I am forwarding your request to our Neal Kelly, the Minister's media guy... He will be able to give you the right direction in response to your request.
  
  
  3) -----Original Message-----
  From: OJIBWAY NOW!
  To: Salmons, Steve (MTO)
  Sent: Sat Dec 02 13:01:09 2006
  Subject: Re: Media accreditation
  
  I expect that I will be able to attend your media briefing on Tuesday that was mentioned at the Windsor Star Editorial Board session!
  
  Ed Arditti
  
  
  4) ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Salmons, Steve (MTO)"
  To: Ed Arditti
  Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2006 1:15 PM
  Subject: Re: Media accreditation
  
  Ed, again, I am forwarding your name to someone who can help you. I have no authority (or knowledge) over press credentials
  
  --------------------------
  Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Device

I received accreditation right away from Mr. Butler, so I will be attending the event. But not a word yet from Ontario. Anyway, there seems little point in going to be honest, except out of principle, since Ontario reps seem to have already given a good part of the story to the Star now anyway. I wonder if other journalists in town are angry at that.

While Ontario's inaction may be disappointing, it is not crushing given the big news of the day. Now this story is something for the Windsor Blogmeister to be really concerned about. After all, it is a story about Canada with a Detroit connection!

According to the Associated Press:

• "Pamela Anderson has filed for divorce from Kid Rock after less than four months of marriage, the actress' publicist said Monday.
  
  Anderson's representative said the former "Baywatch" star filed for divorce last week, but would not comment on the reason or any particulars of the divorce. The split was first reported by People magazine."

Hello Pamela, I have a question for you....