Question to Journalists

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 12/11/2015 at 17:28 • Filed to: Question

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What publications, titles, or even people get preferential treatment at events or special invitations and passes? Does telling security, “I’m with Jalopnik” actually keep them from throwing you out of the building, or do they immediately call for backup? Who gets to shake hands with Mike Manley, or bump chests with Reid Bigland, or be caressed tinderly by Sergio behind a 500L? Do the old paperback writters look down on all the 20-somethings that get to be at the same exclusive event due to having 200,000 youtube subscribers and a hip and happenin’ instagram? So many questions about that world!

TheHondaBro > Wobbles the Mind 12/11/2015 at 17:35

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Suuure, Ballaban can say he’s with Jalopnik and gets free acces, but when I say I’m with Jalopnik, I get called a loony and thrown out of Walmart.

Wobbles the Mind > TheHondaBro 12/11/2015 at 17:41

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“Hi, Im FancyFieroBabymaker from Oppositelock. I’m going to need you to unlock that Ford GT for me. What do you mean no?! Tens of people recommend my posts!!”

Tohru > Wobbles the Mind 12/11/2015 at 18:02

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I’m admin for Upper Midwest (uppermidwest.kinja.com) and it got me into the Chicago Auto Show.

And behind the wheel of the Elio P4 prototype (a Kinja exclusive).

Note that I only use my site and my credentials, I do not claim to be part of Jalopnik or Gawker.

Grindintosecond > Wobbles the Mind 12/11/2015 at 19:53

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I used to be a media credential holder at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for probably fifteen plus years. It came with my father, the real journalist, signing my name up on the list of reporters. Back then it only took an seemingly employed person of an actual place that’s mostly verifiable and anyone that person says is good, gets on the list. I totally abused the privilege. Complete access to the pits and garage and if I wanted to I could have walked around with a recorder and asked to have words with anyone that was there, of course if they felt like it. The last time I used my credentials was for the 2011 race. I watched it from the side balcony of the main pagoda. Today, depending on what you filed for, they limit the areas you can go. so as an example, if you are a photojournalist for your company/group/independent personally owned news thing, then you can get access to the inside guard rail during events. Otherwise, no access because photogs need that space and regular journos stay out. But, regular journos can get regular access to the pits, garage, and anywhere else really. The main pagoda has a nice lunch for the media and quite a big room to operate in. Saw Chris Economaki hammering away on his manual typewriter in there. I just took pictures of the race and listened to it streaming from my phone. I’ll have to post a picture I have of Hildebrand sliding across the line against the wall with his foot still in it and the checkered flag out.

Wobbles the Mind > Grindintosecond 12/11/2015 at 19:55

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Yes, please post that!