cryptome writes:

New York Cops Deny Cryptome.org Press Credentials

John Young

30 January 2002

Cryptome applied to the New York Police Department on January 14 for
New York City press credentials, using a form provided on the NYPD Web
site. We described ourselves as a "Web publisher."

Yesterday we were told that we did not meet requirements for press
credentials because we could not provide letters of reference from
previous press employers. And that our self-employment for 30 years
and operating Cryptome for six years were not sufficient. We have
today sent an e-mail appeal of the decision to Commissioner Raymond
Kelly (below).

New York City thrives on intense, redundant, fatuous press coverage
and is the home of the world's greatest collection of vainglorious
attention seekers, media companies, journalists, and publicity
promoters. To be refused press credentials here must be a singular
honor or a sign of city's obsession with maintaining its allure for
attackers of its own exclusive clubby press manufacture. What other
police department would hire a former Marine general and a CIA head of
espionage to pimp its desirability with press-terrorism-drunk
Washington DC except a new Commish just back from poppy farming
national security?Press credentials are issued by the NYPD Deputy Commissioner for
Public Information (DCPI), an office headed most often by a journalist
not a professional police officer. (Issuing of press credentials
worldwide are always overseen by "press police," those who either work
for the authorities or operate unofficial press credentialing bodies.)
The DCPI web site flashes that it accepts applications 24 hours a day
7 days a week.

The credentials application includes a section for "new media" and
asks for material supporting that category, which was provided by
printouts from Cryptome.

We were questioned during two phone calls with the DCPI office about
whether the application was being made in connection with the World
Economic Forum (Davos) being held in NYC. We said no, that the press
credentials were needed to cover New York events in general which were
not accessible to citizens. We cited news of WTC as an example of our
recent coverage. (A New York Times photographer was arrested at the
WTC site for using a friend's press pass because his own had lapsed.

It is impossible to get permission to visit the site without press
credentials.)

Questions the denial of Cryptome's application raises:

1. Was the denial caused by Cryptome's publishing policy statement:

Cryptome welcomes documents for publication that are prohibited by
governments worldwide, in particular material on freedom of
expression, privacy, cryptology, dual-use technologies, national
security and intelligence -- open, secret and classified documents
-- but not limited to those.

2. Is the NYPD and other authorities so fearful of press imposters
during the World Economic Conference that they are excluding novel
means of news coverage?

3. What role in press credentialling is being played by the ex-CIA
director of espionage, David Cohen, newly hired by the NYPD as Deputy
Commissioner for Intelligence?

4. Are old-line journalists such as DCPIs covertly excluding
non-traditional, new media from getting press credentials -- as often
rumored throughout the profession but publically denied?

5. What option is available for press credentialling of new media
practitioners who have no background in the legacy press, not just in
NYC but in general around the globe?

6. What role do governmental and intelligence agencies play, covertly
or openly, in press credentialing, especially since 9/11?

7. How do authorities handle persons covering the news who have been
denied press credentials?