tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post4146389800772483145..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The "Headache" of Lobby Passes for BloggersIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-54125035962014006922008-11-21T23:40:00.000+00:002008-11-21T23:40:00.000+00:00"Most write opinion and comment blogs, rather than..."Most write opinion and comment blogs, rather than report on what goes on in politics."<BR/><BR/>Surely that is a circular argument. If bloggers were given more opportunities to do reporting, then there would be more reporting on blogs.<BR/><BR/>I've always wanted to have a lobby pass. My analysis of political affairs is effectively based off a combination of instinct, study, third-hand regurgitations, and the occasional encounter with an MP. It would be nice to be able to compete on a level footing.<BR/><BR/>Obviously there are pitfalls, but these are not insurmountable.Ben Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14049705461959428825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36889368948757544572008-11-21T18:33:00.000+00:002008-11-21T18:33:00.000+00:00I have made clear here in the past that I have a p...I have made clear here in the past that I have a pass. It is hardly a secret. But it does not accord access to the lobby. Nor would I wish it to.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35471621025940940732008-11-21T18:31:00.000+00:002008-11-21T18:31:00.000+00:00I would have thought you might have mentioned you ...I would have thought you might have mentioned you DO have a pass for the parliamentary estate, well thats according to the latest Register of Interests of Members' Secretaries and Research Assistants http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsecret/081022/memi04.htm<BR/><BR/>Something that allows you much of the freedom of access of a lobby pass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49968379126331635732008-11-21T14:38:00.000+00:002008-11-21T14:38:00.000+00:00@ Laurence BoyceRemind us who the BBC, Guardian, T...@ Laurence Boyce<BR/><BR/>Remind us who the BBC, Guardian, Telegraph, Times, Mirror, Sun, etc ad infinitum are accountable to.<BR/><BR/>As to organisational structure, why is this necessary?<BR/><BR/>Most bloggers are identifiable and personally accountable within the law of the land.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79433556829135346802008-11-21T14:18:00.000+00:002008-11-21T14:18:00.000+00:00When it comes to the lobby I think political blogg...When it comes to the lobby I think political bloggers ought to bear in mind the words of Marx (Groucho that is)<BR/><BR/>"I wouldn't join a club that would have me as a member"Tony Abbot's new view from the skyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06107132669822792434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77313952188595152772008-11-21T13:47:00.000+00:002008-11-21T13:47:00.000+00:00Assuming the lobby journo's have some form of qual...Assuming the lobby journo's have some form of qualification/training then they would be fully aware of the various laws which govern the reporting of Parliament. <BR/><BR/>I can't imagaine most bloggers would care to spend much time reading McNae's to ensure they don't fall found of Britain's laws of contempt, libel and anything else which comes their way. <BR/><BR/>Opening up the lobby to all and sundry is inviting trouble - in as much as various barristers will be rubbing their hands with glee and the chance of ripping a few bloggers apart in a courtroom.<BR/>"I'm sorry - so you don't know what qualified privilege actually means... exactly how much would you like to pay my client?"<BR/><BR/>Not slating the bloggers, merely postulating what may befall them. <BR/><BR/>Carl EveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4693838913103285612008-11-21T13:45:00.000+00:002008-11-21T13:45:00.000+00:00Iain,As I say over at my gaffe I find this whole i...Iain,<BR/><BR/>As I say over at my gaffe I find this whole issue problamatic and like Laurence I am against it even as a political blogger. I think it would create 'two-tier' blogging and since Paul in his article makes a case for them to be given to the 'Big Five' that raises other issues...like what happens if one of the 'Big Five' drops out...do they have their passes revoked?? <BR/><BR/>Also, there is the issue that the selection wouldnt exactly be politically balanced as things stand (why, for example, should Conservative but not Labour home have one or even Lib Dem Voice??).<BR/><BR/>You and Guido and others seem perfectly capable of producing well read and liked blogs without them so as you rather say I dont see why they would be needed. Like has been said I can just about see the case for a publication like Total Politics or at a push Political Betting but certainly I don't feel they should be issued in the way Paul wants them...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10413958517339886392008-11-21T12:17:00.000+00:002008-11-21T12:17:00.000+00:00Anonymous, no I was totally unaware of that. I hav...Anonymous, no I was totally unaware of that. I have now emailed Ben asking his why he said that as I have never given an indication that I was after a lobby pass.Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39915606462766749712008-11-21T12:11:00.000+00:002008-11-21T12:11:00.000+00:00Iain,I was at the LSE event at which Ben Brogan sp...Iain,<BR/><BR/>I was at the LSE event at which Ben Brogan spoke on Tuesday... what the Press Gazzette report doesn't mention (and I guess you are unaware of) is that Ben specifically mentioed you as being 'particualrly keen'(or words to that effect) to get a lobby pass.<BR/><BR/>It was a very interesting debate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22623984371970161582008-11-21T11:49:00.000+00:002008-11-21T11:49:00.000+00:00There's no way that lobby passes should be issued ...There's no way that lobby passes should be issued to one-man-band bloggers who lack any organisational structure or accountability. <I>Total Politics</I> might qualify but not Joe the blogger. And it's just as well Guido Fawkes doesn't want a pass. They were hardly going to let him in after what he did last time.Laurence Boycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17838530535994771528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21168036412386752942008-11-21T11:48:00.000+00:002008-11-21T11:48:00.000+00:00Iain,Bloggers are not the new media. The new media...Iain,<BR/><BR/>Bloggers are not the new media. The new media is largely the old media doing things online. Bloggers are individuals.<BR/><BR/>The problem is this - bloggers of your mould and Guido are only able to do what you do as you are not entirely within the system and beholden to it.<BR/><BR/>Getting the likes of you and Guido into the press lobby would only be of use if you were aiming to report how it all works, how much it costs, how useful or useless it is. I'm sure it would be an illuminating experience but would the lobby be keen on it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-37568810323973164602008-11-21T11:39:00.000+00:002008-11-21T11:39:00.000+00:00I can't see why a small allocation of passes can't...I can't see why a small allocation of passes can't be made available to those that want them. I'm sure if the Hebridean Sheep Farmer's Weekly wanted one they'd be accommodated?<BR/><BR/>Why not set a small qualification for the online media applications? Say, they must have been operating continuously for at least two years? That'd prevent the fly-by-night nutcases with a 'blogger' account from troubling our estimed Fourth Estate.John Pickworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02166443099429490782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-76937333541564329442008-11-21T11:36:00.000+00:002008-11-21T11:36:00.000+00:00"Most write opinion and comment blogs, rather than..."Most write opinion and comment blogs, rather than report on what goes on in politics."<BR/><BR/>Unlike the BBC, Guardian, Telegraph, Times, Mirror, Sun, et al?<BR/><BR/>The reason the Lobby and MPs don't want bloggers in is because they would tell the truth. The Lobby system is corrupt to the core. Approved "reporters" get to go on taxpayer funded freebies in return for not reporting the negative stuff too hard. This is how Labour have controlled the media for too long. This country is "scrutinised" by people who have a vested interest in the continuation of the current regime. <BR/><BR/>Bloggers have no such agenda and are therefore far too dangerous.Old BEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06974090439936326476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-6810665205893847512008-11-21T11:18:00.000+00:002008-11-21T11:18:00.000+00:00My reading of this is it is less about bloggers th...My reading of this is it is less about bloggers than about paid online news journalists. This covers both those working for traditional organisations like the BBC and the daily newspapers (on their online side) and the, still fairly limited in numbers, online only outfits like politicshome and politics.co.uk, and I suppose conhome too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78306970324772270192008-11-21T10:42:00.000+00:002008-11-21T10:42:00.000+00:00Some bloke called David David was on Desert Island...Some bloke called David David was on Desert Island Discs - apparently used to be a member of Conservative shadow cabinet but something about having to stand in a by-election.<BR/><BR/>Anyone remember what it was all about?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-68661117509870265352008-11-21T10:40:00.000+00:002008-11-21T10:40:00.000+00:00Just to clarify Iain, I don't think I was arguing ...Just to clarify Iain, I don't think I was arguing that you <I>needed</I> a lobby pass to write your blog, merely that it would be artificial to exclude you (or any other blogger of similar stature) in view of the size and influence of your blog relative to some mainstream media outlets.<BR/><BR/>It's interesting to see how the Big Four have divided on this: You and Guido don't want passes, but Mike Smithson and Jonathan Isaby clearly do.Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-85773322340298048962008-11-21T10:35:00.000+00:002008-11-21T10:35:00.000+00:00Most write opinion and comment... rather than repo...<I>Most write opinion and comment... rather than report on what goes on in politics.</I><BR/><BR/>Err...<BR/><BR/>Isn't that what 'mainstream' journalism has always been?Archbishop Cranmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16817505540390495385noreply@blogger.com