Spotters versus press

[Stefan]

Only for the press (with presscards), so no spottersdays are planned.

The Polish Air Force Public Affairs Office kindly informs, that there is no possibility to visit any PL AF facilities during 2009 – apart from the planned Press Tours.

It only takes about 15 minutes to create you own press-agency and -card

The page even quotes the word "spotters"...

Regards,
Stefan

[nilsko]

Indeed spotters are mentioned. I guess the Polish AF doesn't make a distinction between the two.

[DJdeRidder]

I think they are just confused and think that 'aviation photographers' are called 'spotters' (which is not totally incorrect). The page mentions they do require press cards and examples of previous publications, so they do make a distinction..

[Stefan]

I think they are just confused and think that 'aviation photographers' are called 'spotters' (which is not totally incorrect). The page mentions they do require press cards and examples of previous publications, so they do make a distinction..

They state "Press cards" OR "examples of previous publications". I think they want to make a distinction, but AFAIK until now only spotters have attended during the tours... then again; what is the difference? If someone that calls himself 'press' is not able to publish as a result of a visit, he is as much a spotter as we all are in the end.

Why not give it a try?

Regards,
Stefan

[ricardo smit]

vrees dat het weer een hoop spotters gaat opleveren met nep perskaarten doe ons echte press jongens weer danig in de weg gaan zitten.

[DJdeRidder]

I think those 'echte press jongens' as you call them don't visit these tours anymore, just because they are flooded by spotters..

[Polleke_NL]

vrees dat het weer een hoop spotters gaat opleveren met nep perskaarten doe ons echte press jongens weer danig in de weg gaan zitten.

What makes somebody a "real" press guy ?? (rather arrogant statement by the way)
Someone who every now and then delivers pictures for clubmagazines - without charging for it and/or publishes on the internet is press as well (in my opinion), or does the definition of "real" press guys mention that they have to get paid for it ??

Normally the so called "real" press guys are th eones that block everyone's view with mega sized ladders and act as if they own the place - en before people get frustrated by my opinion, this is my personal experience with these guys.. I
I therefor usually have no no respect for these people whatsoever, this as a direct result of the above, and yes, if this means I get in their way, so be it !

[ricardo smit]

press guys like me ,work on regular or daily base for newspapers,and or magazines.

simple as thatt

[Polleke_NL]

press guys like me ,work on regular or daily base for newspapers,and or magazines.

simple as thatt

Ahhh, life is simple, life is sweet, but that's your definition and opinion of course......

[Thijs]

I have to say, those press / spotters day are a good way to get rid off al those requests from spotters / press. It is up to the Polish Air Force to say who is press and who is not.

The same goes for the French spottersday ahead of an airshow. It is a good way for intelligence to know how many spotters there are and who they are, also you have all the spotters / press together at one day so the other days are for the regular public.

As an organisation you can have some control at our community by having such tours / spottersday. The same goes for the open dagen, just organise an spottersday and you don't have all those people around your airfield. It is also an argument for sending people away, we have a spottersday organised for you guys and that is the only option, take it or leave it.

So in my opinion well done by the Polish Air Force and the real press, who that may be, still have their opportunities, they know how to get an exclusive visit.

These kind of tours / spottersday keep the crowd satisfied

[Someguyfromaustria]

I would say the REAL press is not interested in such press days. And with real press I mean people working normally for a newspaper or magazine as a fulltime job. Most people visiting press days are spotters and enthusiasts, some publish material and get PAID FOR IT, and others publish them on their website. If they would REALLY go for WHO has a official PRESS ID CARD (and I mean the one comming from the authorities of its home country, the press days would have 10% of people...

It is disgusting when people claim the "real press" for themselves, although they are the same "cheap" spotters they try to get rid off!

[nilsko]

In the end we have to get along with eachother anyhow at any event... IMHO if you're really a journalist you'll probably be present at any key event anyway like delivery of new airframes, exercises.. Any event which has any news value.. Visiting an airbase during a normal operational day doesn't contain any news value. But then again, I'm no journalist, neither pretend to be one, so shoot me if I'm wrong..

If you want to be really sure about the intentions just contact the Polish Airforce. Apart from that I hope we all get along in a good way without bothering eachother.

[Stefan]

I have to say, those press / spotters day are a good way to get rid off al those requests from spotters / press.

IMHO; they are not trying to get rid of these requests. They are streamlining and facilitating. Which should be applauded. Saying 'no' to every request is a lot easier.

It is up to the Polish Air Force to say who is press and who is not.

It is. Judging by the access in the past it is not a hardline black/white approach.

Greetings,
Stefan

[Key]

Which should be applauded.

It is by me, even if I miss (consciously or not) 95% of these kind of events.

As for "real press"... A method of distinction would be to look at the attendee's objectives (in line with what Nilsko says). Anyone being on the tour 'because it is a good opportunity' falls through for me. I would expect "real press" to have a specific objective beforehand, like reporting on recent changes within a unit's operation. And with such motivation, one would probably only end up in the tours we are talking about if the air force turned down previous requests for visits (and we all know they grant requests regularly). Draw your own conclusions.


Erik

[mikek1357]

I do see that more and more airshows organisers want to see genuine presscards, because of the many applications for them.

A good question is indeed, when can you call yourself press, I for instance do interviews (only recently) and reports and galleries on airshows. Though I never had an education in journalism or anything.

It's the passion for aviation that drives me. I do however want to know more about an airshow, like who organises it, why do certain participants do what they do.

When I look at some at the press stand, almost all of the people are photographers, only rarely do you see someone with a camera or take an interview. I dont think the versus discussion applies here. I rarely see a clash between the two. The press usually do have an advantage, which is access all areas for that nice close up shot or special photo opportunities.

Erik pretty acurately describes the real press difference, in the goal they have. They get a job from their boss and try to get the job done, as for the freelancers, they'll be looking for something they can sell.