The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

The student news site of Marquette University

Marquette Wire

Staff editorial: Charging media at rally is a cheap trick

It seems like everyone has used the word "historic" to describe this year's presidential election. Last week, Nov. 4 became historic yet again — but not in a good way.

Democratic nominee Barack Obama's campaign announced that it will charge media outlets for access to campaign officials at the Illinois senator's rally in downtown Chicago next Tuesday.

The campaign will allow a limited number of media representatives in for free, but the free ticket is standing room only and gives media access to an outdoor viewing area that organizers warn will likely have an obstructed view. In addition, the media can't speak with Obama or his top advisers.

To receive even the most limited access, media will have to pay at least $715 per person and higher tiers of access will cost as much as $1,815 for each reporter and photographer. Using the press tent will cost $935 per person, driving the bill higher and higher.

Sen. John McCain's Election Day event at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix carries a $695 price tag for members of the press, with no free admission. By contrast, $695 seems like a bargain, but that either candidate believes it's appropriate to charge the media such exorbitant prices is beyond our understanding. We believe the ticket prices violate free speech and freedom of the press — two deeply rooted American values protected by the First Amendment.

At large rallies, it's common practice for telecommunications companies to charge the media for access to Internet connections and phone lines, and we understand that fee. Providing these amenities isn't cheap — they're a burden on event organizers and are provided almost exclusively to the media. However, we hope that charging for plain old, notebook-and-camera style coverage does not become common-place on the campaign trail.

Hosting a huge rally in public space has its own headaches and expenses for the country's third largest city — namely, providing additional security, park maintenance and sanitation services. For this reason, we strongly support Chicago's decision to charge the Obama campaign $2 million for use of Grant Park.

As of Monday, Obama had spent $205 million on television ads since he clinched the Democratic nomination. In the same period, McCain spent more than $119 million, according to CNN. This year has been a record breaker for advertising. Couple that with the enormous amount of fundraising both campaigns have done, and the charge for press coverage just seems greedy.

Either Obama or McCain will become the president-elect the night of Nov. 4 — or at least in the early morning hours of Nov. 5. This election is one of global significance, and we believe the media should be able to bring coverage to the public at no additional cost.

We urge the campaigns to remember it isn't always about the money. At its best, the media meets and serves the public good. Politicians should respect the centuries-old national value of freedom of the press.

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