Sam Houston Athletics Media Policies
MEDIA CREDENTIAL POLICIES
Credentialing by Sam Houston Athletics for event coverage is based on several factors intended to provide a working atmosphere conducive to professional media coverage and practices.
Media credentials are not transferable and may only be used by media members on specific assignment for an approved news organization. Non-working individuals from a media outlet, children, spouses, friends and other unauthorized individuals will not be permitted in media areas. Violation of this policy may result in immediate revocation of credentials.
Credentialing priority is given to professional media outlets that cover Sam Houston Athletics on an active, consistent and comprehensive basis. Authorized outlets must be established, active and legitimate journalistic organizations with a proven history of comprehensive coverage.
Issuance of a media credential does not guarantee working space on press row, in the press box or in other media work areas. Due to limited space at Sam Houston Athletics venues, credentials and working space are subject to availability and the discretion of the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office.
CREDENTIALING PRIORITY
Priority for credentials will generally be granted in the following order:
-
Daily newspapers, wire services, and regional and national publications.
-
Originating radio and television personnel involved in a live broadcast of a Sam Houston Athletics event.
-
Non-originating radio and television personnel. Local radio stations must have a full-time sports director and regular sports programming and must cover Sam Houston Athletics on a regular, year-round basis. Television stations must have regular sports coverage and a full-time sports director or sports talent.
-
Officially recognized Sam Houston student publications and electronic media outlets.
-
Non-daily newspapers, magazines and other publications.
Priority also will be given to visiting media members and media entities that regularly and substantially cover the opposing team.
NEWSPAPERS AND PRINT PUBLICATIONS
Credentials will generally be prioritized for daily newspapers, wire services and regional or national publications that provide active, consistent and comprehensive coverage of Sam Houston Athletics or the visiting team.
Non-daily newspapers and weekly publications may be considered on a case-by-case basis when space is available and the outlet demonstrates a legitimate, ongoing news-gathering operation.
National circulation, sport-specific magazines that regularly cover college athletics may be considered for credentials on a case-by-case basis.
RADIO AND TELEVISION
Originating radio and television personnel involved in a live broadcast of a Sam Houston Athletics event will receive priority.
Non-originating radio credentials generally will be limited to established stations that regularly and substantially cover Sam Houston Athletics or the visiting team. Local stations should have a full-time sports director and regular sports programming and demonstrate year-round coverage of the athletics program.
Television credentials generally will be limited to established stations that regularly cover Sam Houston Athletics or the visiting team. Stations should have regular sports segments and a full-time sports director or sports talent.
Consideration also may be given to alternate-language broadcasts that regularly cover Sam Houston Athletics or the visiting team.
All radio and television credentials are subject to available space.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sideline photography credentials will be considered for photographers representing approved media outlets, national wire services, national magazines or established publications.
Freelance photographers and videographers must be working on a specific written assignment from an accredited media outlet. The assigning outlet must submit the credential request on the individual’s behalf and identify the individual and the assignment. Requests submitted independently by freelancers will not be accepted.
Photography of Sam Houston Athletics staff, student-athletes, facilities and events is for editorial use by the credentialed organization only. Photographs used for any other purpose require prior written permission from Sam Houston Athletics.
Due to space limitations, there may be no dedicated photo workspace in the press box or media work areas. Non-essential personnel will not be permitted in restricted photography or media areas when space is limited.
All photography credential requests are subject to the eligibility requirements in these policies, available space and ultimate approval by the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office.
INTERNET AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Credentials for websites and digital media outlets will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office.
Priority will be given to websites affiliated with an accredited or established media outlet, a national media entity or another recognized news-gathering organization. Websites must demonstrate an established editorial process and a primary purpose of gathering and disseminating original news.
To be considered for credentials, an internet or digital media outlet should:
-
Demonstrate an intent to operate as a legitimate news organization rather than a fan-centric site.
-
Have most of its content consist of original news and editorial coverage rather than reposted material, fan-generated content or satire.
-
Maintain an established editorial process or oversight.
-
Demonstrate a proven history of meeting these standards.
-
Operate primarily as a newsgathering and news-dissemination organization, with other commercial activities ancillary to its journalistic purpose.
An outlet’s social media presence, follower count or content views do not independently establish eligibility for media credentials.
Credentials will not be granted to fan-submitted or unedited sites that are not affiliated with an established news-gathering organization, sites whose primary purpose is fan-generated message boards or chat rooms that permit anonymous posting, or online agencies operating websites affiliated with gambling.
BLOGGING
Sam Houston Athletics does not credential independent bloggers solely for blogging purposes.
Media representatives credentialed to cover an event for an approved media outlet may participate in blogging or other digital reporting in accordance with applicable NCAA and Conference USA policies.
FREELANCE
Freelance writers, photographers and videographers will only be considered for credentials when working on a specific written assignment for an accredited media outlet. The assigning outlet must submit the credential request on the individual’s behalf and identify the individual and the assignment. Requests submitted independently by freelancers will not be accepted.
STUDENT MEDIA
Current high school students will not be issued media credentials unless on direct assignment from an approved media outlet. The assigning outlet must submit the credential request on the student’s behalf and identify the student and the assignment.
University students representing officially recognized student publications or other approved media outlets may be considered for credentials when performing legitimate working-media duties. Enrollment in journalism, photojournalism or a related academic program does not independently establish eligibility.
Credentials will not be issued to content creators whose primary assignment is to produce content for individual student-athletes rather than provide editorial coverage for an approved media outlet.
Individuals who create content solely for personal social media accounts, rather than as representatives of an established media organization or legitimate news-gathering outlet, will not be credentialed.
All otherwise eligible requests remain subject to available space and approval by the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office.
REAL-TIME REPORTING
Real-time rights for audio, video and text accounts of Sam Houston Athletics events are held by the applicable rights holders, including Sam Houston Athletics, Conference USA and contractual rights partners.
The live dissemination of accounts of Bearkat Athletics events via any streaming method is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the applicable rights holder.
Credentialed media members must comply with all applicable NCAA, Conference USA and Sam Houston Athletics policies governing real-time reporting, social media, streaming and other forms of digital distribution.
INTERVIEWS AND MEDIA ACCESS
All interviews of Sam Houston student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff must be coordinated through the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office.
Media members are discouraged from contacting Sam Houston student-athletes directly or through social media networks for the purpose of arranging interviews or obtaining information outside established media-access procedures.
Contacting Sam Houston student-athletes through social media outside the established media-access procedures could result in loss of credentials to SHSU Athletics events.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS
Requests for single-game credentials and parking must be submitted through Sam Houston Athletics’ online credential portal at least 48 hours prior to the event. Requests submitted by email will not be accepted.
Requests must identify the media outlet, the individual(s) requesting credentials, the assignment being covered and any applicable photography, broadcast or parking needs.
Requests for freelance personnel must be submitted by the assigning accredited media outlet. Requests for current high school students must be submitted by the approved media outlet assigning the student to cover the event.
Because space is limited in many Sam Houston Athletics venues, priority generally will be given to full-time, salaried journalists from media outlets that cover the Bearkats regularly and substantially, or to representatives who regularly and customarily perform services for that outlet. Other eligible applicants, including representatives of officially recognized student media, may be considered in accordance with these policies.
All requests are subject to review and approval by the Sam Houston Athletics Media Office. Available space does not waive credential eligibility requirements.
PARKING
Due to limited parking availability at athletics venues, one parking pass per organization may be considered, if available.
Parking requests must be submitted through the online credential portal in advance of the scheduled athletic event. Issuance of a media credential does not guarantee the availability of a parking pass.
CONDUCT AND CREDENTIAL REVOCATION
By accepting a media credential, the bearer agrees to abide by all Sam Houston Athletics, Conference USA, NCAA and applicable venue policies and procedures and to conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner.
Violation of these policies may result in immediate revocation of credentials on a temporary or permanent basis. The Sam Houston Athletics Media Office reserves the right to deny or revoke credentials at any time.
Use of an old, previously issued credential, alteration of a credential, or replication of a current credential to gain or attempt to gain entry to a Sam Houston Athletics event may result in revocation of current credentials.
Any NCAA, Conference USA or other applicable policy violation may constitute grounds for immediate revocation of a credential.
Issuance of credentials by Sam Houston Athletics does not guarantee credentials at other institutions.
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
By accepting a media credential, the credential holder acknowledges that they have read and understand this policy and are responsible for ensuring that employees, representatives and other personnel of the business or organization they represent also understand and comply with these requirements.
Violations of this policy may result in the revocation of one, or all media credentials issued to the individual’s organization.
