Sacramento State

SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS MEDIA CREDENTIAL POLICY

I. REQUIRED CREDENTIALS
A. Credentials (press and photography passes) issued by Sacramento State are required to cover Hornet Athletics at all regular season events which take place on the Sacramento State campus or an event in which Sacramento State Athletics has been assigned to distribute credentials, including but not limited to intercollegiate games/matches, scrimmages and practices.
B. Credentials are provided to working members of the media to assist in the coverage of Sacramento State Athletics Events. Credentials do not imply any guarantee to access, are not transferable, and are revocable.
C. Loaning or transferring credentials to another may result in immediate permanent revocation of media credentials and ejection from the event of the original holder and unauthorized holder of the credentials.
D. Failure to adhere to the requirements of this policy may result in revocation of credentials for the representative and their outlet. Media outlets will be held accountable for the actions, conduct and professionalism of all their credentialed personnel.
E. All credentials are subject to space availability restrictions in working media areas at various facilities.
F. Credentials must be displayed at all times during the media event.

II. CREDENTIAL APPLICATIONS AND APPEALS
A. All media credential applications should be requested to the primary sport contact from Sacramento State Athletics Communications.
B. Requests for excess working credentials must be submitted in writing to the primary sport contact. Any excess credentials granted will be on a limited basis and subject to being bumped by the holders of regular working credentials. Excess credential request for current Sacramento State students completing formal University approved internships through credentialed media will typically be given a preference.
C. Credential applications will be reviewed and granted by the Sacramento State Athletics Communications office. 

III. CREDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY
Media credentials may be issued to working members of the media representing recognized media outlets in the business of news gathering/sports reporting as a primary function of their business.
(1) The types of media outlets eligible for credentials include: newspapers, websites, magazines, wire services, college (sport-specific) publications, television and radio.
(2) The dissemination of editorial content must be a primary purpose of the media outlet and the outlet must demonstrate a record of sustained, original coverage of college sports, on a regular basis.
(3) Factors which will be considered in determining if an outlet is eligible for credentials include, but are not limited to, audience size, market share and editorial structure.
(4) Credentials will not be issued to representatives whose outlet exists solely as a platform for distributing unoriginal content (press releases, aggregate news sites, etc.)
(5) Online outlets should typically (a) be affiliated with a national or regional media organization; or, (b) host a website that provides substantial coverage of college athletics and/or Sacramento State Athletics, and employs at least one full-time, permanent employee responsible for producing the site’s content. Outlets which are message boards without regular, substantial news/editorial/feature coverage by a full-time writer may be denied credentials.
(6) Credentials will not be issued for representatives from an outlet that does not have its own dedicated medium of distribution (e.g. outlets that primarily originate from a YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook account are not eligible for credentials.)
(7) Outlets whose working function is limited primarily to the recording and posting of full media availability sessions without any produced news/editorial/feature content may be denied.

IV. PRIORITY
Sacramento State Athletics may prioritize working media credential requests using the following factors among others:
1. Broadcast partners, including television and radio personnel responsible for live broadcasts of Sacramento State Athletics.
2. Full-time local beat reporters who cover the team on the daily basis for large-scale local print and broadcast outlets, including newspapers, wire services, radio stations and television affiliates that cover Sacramento State Athletics on a regular basis.
3. Full-time radio and television personnel producing reports on Sacramento State Athletics competitions. Credentials will be reserved for stations with a full-time sports director that provide regular and substantial coverage of Sacramento State Athletics.
4. Large-scale national outlets, including national newspapers, magazines, television stations, websites and more.
5. University-recognized student publications and student outlets that provide regular coverage of Sacramento State Athletics.
6. Eligible online-only outlets, with preference given to sites utilizing full-time journalists. Outlets’ affiliations with larger, national networks and the breadth and frequency of their editorial content will also be taken into consideration when prioritizing amongst online-only outlets.
7. As the result of limited workspace, credentials will typically not be issued to freelance writers or photographers.

V. STUDENT MEDIA
A. Sacramento State students enrolled full-time and are members of a University recognized student media organization (such as organizations affiliated with the State Hornet) who are assigned to cover Sacramento State Athletics are eligible to apply for media credentials under this policy. All other undergraduate students seeking media credentials must be affiliated with an approved media outlet.
B. Sacramento State Athletics will aim to foster an environment conducive to the career growth of student media by providing students with first-hand experience and insight into the working relationship between athletic organizations and professional media. As such, student journalists seeking credentials will be subject to this policy. Students are strongly encouraged to connect with Sacramento State Athletics sport contacts and full-time beat reporters for protocols relating to media availability and conduct for each sport to ensure their seamless integration into this professional environment.

VI. CREDENTIAL HOLDER REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
A. Credentialed media representatives and their outlets, including student representatives and their outlets are asked to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with professional codes of conduct and ethics n terms of their actions, decorum, dress, etc.
B. Credential Holders are expected to adhere to all requirements of this policy, the applicable rules, regulations, and policies of Sacramento State, including venue specific rules, and all applicable local, federal, and state laws. Failure to do so may result in revocation of credentials.
C. Credential Holders are not permitted to seek autographs, request personal photographs/videos, solicit/take equipment, etc. from Sacramento State Athletics student-athletes or coaches. Such actions or requests will be viewed as a breach of professional conduct and are grounds for credential revocation.
D. Credential Holders are responsible for the conduct of their representatives including any damage caused by the negligent, reckless, or malicious act of their representative.
E. Credentials issued hereunder authorize the use by the Credential Holders of any descriptions, accounts, photographs, films, audio or video recordings, or drawings of the Sacramento State Athletics Event solely for news and editorial coverage of the Event in accordance with this Policy. Any other use or attempted use of any coverage of the Sacramento State Athletic Event by the Credential Holder is prohibited, unless the Credential Holder has obtained the prior specific permission. 

VII. RISKS
By applying for credentials, outlets and their representatives acknowledge and assume the risks that comes from viewing sporting events including being struck or injured by participants, and flying objects such as balls, bats, and other sports equipment.

VIII. ACCESS, ISSUANCE, AND REVOCATION
Sacramento State reserves the right to deny or revoke credentials at any time in its sole discretion. No guarantee of availability of credentials, space, viewing, or internet access is made. Scheduled events may be canceled or rescheduled at Sacramento State’s sole discretion.