MSA to end media accreditation

[ST-PHILIP]

I have held MSA accred for several years now, but on sending off my renewal form, I received an email from the MSA stating......

"Dear Colleague,

Re: MSA Media Credential

I would like to advise you that the MSA will no longer offer a media credential system.

The MSA media credential has been in operation for many years and was originally designed to endorse the holder’s status as a bona fide member of the media in order to assist event organisers in their deliberations over granting media accreditation.

Having recently reviewed the system in consultation with journalists, photographers, events and venues, it is clear that the MSA credential no longer achieves its original objective and, of course, the MSA credential was never a media pass itself. Media accreditation has always been, and will continue to be, the responsibility of each event and/or championship.

I would like to apologise if you have already taken the time to apply for your next MSA media credential. However, we trust that you understand the reasons for this move and we wish you all the very best for 2013 and beyond.

With kind regards,

xxxxxxx
Director of Development & Communications"

Wonder what the sign-on procedure will be once my 2012 accred expires?! Possibly have my papers supply me with a press card, or apply on an event by event basis?
One thing's for sure, it will make life more complicated!!

 

[FourRingCircus]

As with so many MSA things, it's probably going to come down to who you know and not what you know. The MSA have very little to do with grass roots events and their real interest begins and ends with THE F1 event and THE rally. I know several non-pro hobby togs with MSA media tabards which will give them some amount of access at local/regional events and none of them are accredited. However, it won't do anything at a major venue. It's knowledge of the organising personalities involved that usually works best, but I can't speak for the big stuff.:|

 

[ST-PHILIP]

I agree with you. Fortunately, I (and my photographer mates....all accredited) know most of the marshals and officials in most of the clubs over here, in N.Ireland, so things may continue much the same as before.

There are only a couple of rallies over here that we have to pre-apply for acreditation, and we have never had any problems with them.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Again, as with most of the stuff that comes out of Colnbrook, little will change and status quo remains at ground level.

 

[desantnik]

I've never seen anyone with MSA credentials... I've seen bits on a couple of accreditation forms saying if you are MSA then just give us the number and you are in, but only a handful.

Most accreditation forms want you to provide a letter from an editor with the commission for the specific event and evidence that the publication already has carried coverage of that race series for some time (or in the case of a local event, last time it was here).

Apart from having to spend a bit of time filling in forms, never had a problem establishing my bona fide credentials....

 

[onomatopoeia]

xxxxxxx
Director of Development & Communications"

Where xxxxxx = Ben Taylor, hardly a secret. :shrug: . The make up of the MSA executive is publised in the Blue Book and on the MSA website.

The MSA have very little to do with grass roots events and their real interest begins and ends with THE F1 event and THE rally.

So far from the truth ... I moan about the MSA a lot in certain contexts, but to say they have no interest in "grass roots" motorsport is entirely inaccurate. When the club I belong to (which is very much a "grass roots" motorsport club, the BRDC we are not!) had its centenary celebration someone from the MSA came down in their own time to give a speech and make a presentation to our club, at meetings of my local regional association we've had various members of the MSA Executive attend on Sunday afternoons (so again, in their own time, albeit expensed I believe) to give presentations and take questions and I know that a number the people working at Colnbrook either compete or if not currently active competitors have a history of doing so (and not in F1 or the WRC, either).

While I like photographing motorsport, I'm not a "motorsport photographer", I'm a sometime competitor, licensed official and event organiser.

 

[FourRingCircus]

I'm not a "motorsport photographer", I'm a sometime competitor, licensed official and event organiser.

Snap! But I guess things work differently when you are nearer to Berkshire..... :shrug: License fees seem to be the same though.:bang: