The “Press Pass” Is an Oxymoron
By Dennis Hokama, July 10, 2015: It is now the end of the 8th day of the 11-day General Conference (GC) in San Antonio, and I have yet to gain access to any location by displaying my press pass. On the other hand, I have been banned from the delegate floor because I had a press pass displayed along with my delegate family pass. So my press pass was not merely ignored but became the basis for being targeted for banning from the delegates floor since July 7, despite the fact that I also had a delegate family card around my neck.
The security guard told me I could not display my press pass but must hide it in order to gain entrance to the delegate level. Being the cooperative and compliant fellow that I am, I hid it under my shirt and was finally able to gain entrance by pretending NOT to have a press pass.
If this were my first GC, I would conclude that GCs were simply not the place to own or display press passes. But this is my fourth GC, and in the previous three, that is to say, Before Ted Wilson (BTW), press passes actually functioned as something useful, and writers displaying them actually had full access to the press box and to the delegate floor.
Some have tried to explain this change in policy that transforms a press pass into a press ban as due to the small press box in the Alamodome, or unfortunate miscommunication between Alamodome security and a bumbling Wilson administration.
But that does not explain the banning of the press from the delegate floor that has lasted through the 8th day of the GC and will presumably remain in place through the entire GC session. Access to the delegate floor is important for journalists because that is the most reliable place to make contacts with certain delegates. Stories will not get written or will be written with far less documentation because of this ban.
Typically, what sort of regimes limit the press? And why might GC administration be limiting the press at this Session? And what does this say, or add to the existing discussion, about the direction of the world church culturally and politically?
As I studied journalism 40 or so years ago at a baccalaureate level, among my many stabs at gaining additional insights into administrative relationships was to carefully read through “Counsels to Writers and Editors.” It became evident to me at that stage that Ellen White for all her excellent counsel, reflects the limited transparency recommendations endemic to her 19th-century times, and at certain points in her book (or in the compilation what passes as her book) she reflects the need for secrecy and limited sharing of information, enough that I believe it highly likely that the current GC administration (one that seems to believe that we still live in the 19th Century) will tend to operate with communication policies reflective of that rather information-stingy 19th-century mentality. Yes, there are matters that because of their personal sensitivity should not routinely be aired openly, but in today’s world where withholding information of any kind seems to backfire with disastrous repercussions, a policy of open disclosure and discussion is the far better policy for an organization that seeks to operate credibly in all sectors of society throughout the world. Seeking to suppress dissemination of information may appeal to the conservative mind, but ultimately it will accelerate the rate at which the Adventist members will demand acceptance of progressive policies, at least in regard to expanding the availability of information at all levels.
Your putting down of EGW and her advice is not genteel. Thus I will not read what you wrote in its entirety.
Sounds like a party convention in Shanghai or Moscow.
what has Ted got to do with this? In such large gatherings like this such things are bound to happen. Let’s not make mountains out of hills.
Let’s not make mountains out of hills.
Very true. But lot’s of mole hills might make a mountain. And frankly – this particular piece of news fits other pieces of news that reached us from this session. Example: ONE vote by secret ballot – and that happened to be the most split vote. Why do you think secret balloting was not utilized more often?
Clearly this totalitarian regime doesn’t believe in transparency and freedom of the press. I realize the latter doesn’t apply to private organizations, but if the denomination truly wanted the people to know what was going on, they’d give journalists access.
Just another indication what the current regime really thinks. And that’s not to confuse authoritarianism with totalitarianism. There is a difference.
We need to respect fellows from different countries in our comments. Those in Moscow and Shanghai are also humans like us. Why do you ridicule them? You think Americans do not abuse their people? go to U.S prisons. Visit Guantanamo bay and see what America’s pride is all about. I do not think what the press experienced was intentional ploy rather we must see it as one of those incidence that can happen in every event
This hierarchy is “FAR” from seamless, but definitely transparent. The protocol was set by the GC honchos, and the arrogance of such, speaks volumes of how they will operate in the future. They temporarily have the bit in their mouth, and will speak as though they have the triple crown on their head, infallible and issuing “BULLS”, from their sound chamber Ivory Towers. A backlash is coming which will nullify their comfort zone.
MORONIC PRESS RELATIONS?
Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. The press should also receive ethical treatment, particularly from a gathering that is being broadcast for the public to see and hear. Adventist Today has in my opinion complied very well in all of these five points which should be reciprocated by the Adventist church.
1. Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
2. Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage. Consider cultural differences in approach and treatment.
3. Recognize that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast.
4. Realize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. Weigh the consequences of publishing or broadcasting personal information.
5. Provide updated and more complete information as appropriate.
How we treat the press says much about our ethics and our sense of fairness. In a practical sense our respect or lack of may say more about our theology than we realize. I am sorry for the treatment the AT reporter received. It seems like Hillary Clinton, and the SDA church news management persons in San Antonio finally have something in common! They both need education…
Arhin I take strong exception to your blog posting. Your blog is in quotation marks. My responses are underneath. You don’t seem to want to understand what this county is all about. I am sorry you have had to put up with what you consider a hostile environment.
“We need to respect fellows from different countries in our comments.”
—including your host country USA where San Antonio is located and where you are a welcome guest.
“Those in Moscow and Shanghai are also humans like us.”
—No one is saying othewise
“Why do you ridicule them?”
—No one in this blog is doing that
“You think Americans do not abuse their people?”
—No one has alleged that either
“go to U.S prisons. Visit Guantanamo bay and see what America’s pride is all about.”
—Some in the USA government would challenge these comparisons
“ I do not think what the press experienced was intentional ploy”
—Again this is conjecture on your part, no one is claiming that they know why it happened
“rather we must see it as one of those incidence that can happen in every event.”
—Finally! We agree on this fact that it can happen in any event, not “every event”.
For your information, Arhin the USA has a 1st Amendment to the USA Constitution, it says:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;.. etc.” You should read it carefully. Have a safe trip back as you return to your country.
Perhaps Dennis is so incensed by this lack of freedom of the press because he is operating under the Star Spangled Banner and “The Land of the Free.” If he was working in the same region as Robert Mugabe he may not have been so surprised and outraged.
Thank you, Dennis, for sharing. We wouldn’t read of it in the sanitised Adventist Review. Is that rag still being published? Does anyone read it?
In stating the obvious:
Dennis had both a Delegate Family Member and a Press Pass. At any point, he was executing as one or the other; but never both. The Delegates had a job to do. Anyone wishing to address or comment could that privilege. Did Dennis represent AT? He is not on the staff list.
I agree, we need unbiased journalism and Adventist Today, in cases, serves such purpose. But any journalist or entity also holds the requirements of existence; for example, in Jesus’ Tears; to solicit others funds and promote an individual Board Member’s opinion, without privilege of comment, is outside the bounds. This breaches and actually opposes the mission statement; to both build and not distract from “the Kingdom of GOD”.
The issue was studied; surveys of over 3900 were taken. More than 75% said that Scripture stated only men should be ordained as pastors. More than 80% stated that Scripture does not teach that women should be ordained elders. Over 68% did say we should create more paid women’s ministry opportunities. I love and appreciate their efforts and agree with this; but who and what are you standing up to represent? How does any of this serve GOD or the body of the Church?
In my humble opinion, the only tears that JESUS shed were for the needs left unfilled and the Souls lost during this time that focus was shifted; for individual motive and purpose. No one was inhibited from doing their jobs; nor are those promoting such doing their jobs.
What is the Great Commandment that was asked of Jesus? What was His reply? What about the second Commandment where does it fit in, in all of this? Where is the Spirit of Christ? God is patient and longsuffering just because He does not react ought not to be construed that He is does not care.