Media policy & Registration

Please read the following terms before registering for the congress.

A maximum of three representatives from each qualified media company will be granted free registration for the annual meeting ("qualified" means a general circulation newspaper or magazine, a medical or healthcare publication, online or broadcast media). The reporters will be requested to provide the Press Office with a copy of the following press credentials:

• An official valid press card issued by an organisation representing the general press
  or
• A current membership card from a National Association of Science or Medical Writers.
  Press cards issued by an organisation representing the so-called professional press will not automatically be accepted.

OR both of the following 2 items:

• A letter on official letterhead from the editor of the publication or the producer of the programme, certifying that the person named is covering the conference for their respective organisation.
  
  
• A copy of two bylined medical articles from a recognised news organisation.

Freelance writers will also be requested to provide a letter of assignment from a medium such as those listed above. 

Business cards alone will not be accepted as media credentials.

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Online media must meet the following criteria: the website must provide original, editorial news coverage. If the website is sponsored, it must have multiple sponsors, clearly identified as such on the website.

If a journalist who requests a complimentary press registration is working for a medical publishing company, he/she must show that the publication has multiple sponsors. No press registration will be issued to someone working for a single-sponsor publication.

Publishers and patient organisations may register a maximum of two reporters, provided that they meet the above criteria, and that they represent the editorial staff, not the marketing staff. Freelance journalists also under contract for a pharmaceutical company are not entitled to receive a press badge.

Non-media attendees, physicians, industry and its public relations staff are not permitted to enter the ERS Media Centre without permission from the press officer. This space is strictly reserved for journalists to write and file their stories.

Communications organisations whose main objective is to promote their own products or services (i.e., marketing, advertising, financial analysis, or public relations firms) may not register as media.

Any representative with a media credential who sells, markets, or represents a company for the purpose of obtaining advertising or subscriptions from any registrant or exhibitor will be subject to loss of media credentials for this and potentially subsequent meetings as well. In addition, representatives wearing media badges may not work in any exhibit sponsored by their publishing companies. Individuals required to work in the exhibit area are required to register as an exhibitor.

Media representatives are free to cover any sessions open to professional attendees/members, provided that there is space available. Media representatives may not participate in the general floor discussion of any session.

High-speed internet, as well as telephones equipped for laptop connections, are available to the media in the ERS Media Centre. The Press Office can help media representatives with a copier and a fax machine, for a limited number of documents and provided they are directly related to the Congress press activities and material.
A telephone calling card is necessary to make long-distance and international calls. Please note there are a limited number of telephones and computers available.

Broadcast media may not break down equipment during a news conference, only before and afterwards. Special technical needs, such as satellite transmissions and wiring changes, must be approved beforehand by ERS Media Centre staff.

Tampering with the technical set-up of the ERS Media Centre or Press Conference Room without permission will result in loss of media credentials for this and subsequent meetings.

ONLINE MEDIA REGISTRATION FORM

Registration deadline : August 31, 2008