Journalists who get official press credentials gain access to otherwise restricted areas and permission to use equipment not permitted to the general public, notably "unipods" (which are one-legged stands for holding a camera).  Separate credentials are available for each event, and two organizations- the Senate Media Galleries and the Presidential Inaugural Committee - oversee the granting of these credentials depending on the event.  The deadline for submitting applications has already passed.  Some details about credentials for the different events are provided below.

Individuals without official press credentials can still take photographs, record video, and otherwise document the inaugural events, albeit without access to special locations and use of a unipod.

Swearing-in ceremony on the Capitol Building steps - January 20 - Ticketed event

• The Senate Media Galleries handles all media credentialing for this event.


• Deadline to apply: December 15. More information about these credentials is available on the website of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.


• Who should apply:  These credentials are geared towards professional journalists.   Published criteria state that "persons engaged in other occupations, whose chief attention is not given to or more than one-half of their earned income is not derived from the gathering or reporting of news . . . shall not be entitled to admission."


• What credentials entail:  Members of the media who apply for and are granted media credentials are given access to the reserved press area at this event.  They are also permitted to use equipment that is prohibited for members of the general public, such as unipods.


• What it means if you do not have credentials:  If you do not have official press credentials for this event, you may only attend if you have a ticket and comply with the security requirements.  For information on these requirements, see the Documenting the 2009 Presidential Inauguration page in this guide.

All other official events - January 18 - 21, 2009

• A list of events, and information about whether tickets are required to attend, is available from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which handles media credentialing for these events.


• Deadline to apply: December 22, late submissions not accepted.


• Who should apply:  The Presidential Inaugural Committee's website does not state who can or should apply for press credentials.  We were told via telephone that only those who are associated with an established media company (e.g., CNN, Associated Press) should apply for press credentials.


• What credentials entail:  Members of the media who apply for and are granted media credentials are given access to the reserved press areas at these events.  They are also permitted to use equipment that is prohibited for members of the general public, such as unipods.


• What it means if you do not have credentials:  If you do not have official press credentials for these events, you can still attend them because they are open to the public.  You must, however, comply with the security requirements comply with the security requirements.  For more information on these requirements, see the Documenting the 2009 Presidential Inauguration page in this guide.