Form Request for Media Exemption During COVID-19 Crisis

Form request for media exemption during COVID-19 crisis (created by Mickey Osterreicher, of National Press Photographers Association):

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is to certify that [NAME] is a [TITLE] with [NEWS ORGANIZATION], conducting activities related to the publishing of news, identified by the federal government’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Agency (CISA), as well as various state authorities, as an essential service.

During this critical time, it is vital for news publishers to provide our communities with factual, reliable information. CISA issued an advisory list of essential critical infrastructure workers on March 19, including workers who “support radio, television, and media service, including, but not limited to front line news reporters, studio, and technicians for newsgathering and reporting.” This is reasonably interpreted to include all personnel directly involved with producing print news, including reporters, printers, and editors, as well as personnel directly involved with distributing newspapers, such as drivers. While the CISA definition is advisory, several states and localities, including New York, Pennsylvania, and California’s Los Angeles and Sacramento Counties have adopted similar exemptions for news media.

It is for these reasons that [NEWS ORGANIZATION] respectfully requests that you allow [NAME] to continue [HER/HIS] mission critical activities without interference. Please let us know if you have any questions at [EMAIL] or [PHONE NUMBER].

Sincerely,

[CONTACT PERSON]

[NEWS ORGANIZATION]

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