Press Pass Credentials System#
Innovation #1088 — Special access for verified journalists
Purpose#
Allow journalists to observe and report on Liana Banyan with appropriate access levels while maintaining member privacy and platform integrity.
Who Qualifies#
Verification Requirements#
| Tier | Requirements | Access Level |
|---|
| Tier 1: Staff Journalist | Masthead at recognized publication | Full observation |
| Tier 2: Freelance | Published clips + editor contact | Standard observation |
| Tier 3: Blogger/Independent | Established audience + track record | Limited observation |
| Tier 4: Student | J-school enrollment + faculty sponsor | Educational access |
Recognized Publications Include#
- Major newspapers (NYT, WSJ, WaPo, etc.)
- Wire services (AP, Reuters, AFP)
- Business publications (Forbes, Bloomberg, Inc.)
- Tech publications (Wired, Ars Technica, The Verge)
- Trade publications (relevant to platform sectors)
- Academic journals
- Local newspapers of record
NOT Automatically Qualified#
- Social media influencers (separate Linchpin program)
- Podcasters without editorial oversight
- Self-published without track record
- Anonymous writers
Access Levels#
What Press Pass Grants#
| Access | Tier 1-2 | Tier 3-4 |
|---|
| Fly on the Wall (Public) | ✅ Full | ✅ Full |
| Member forums (read-only) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Governance proceedings | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited |
| Financial aggregates | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited |
| Founder interviews | ✅ Requestable | ⚠️ By invitation |
| Member interviews | ✅ With consent | ✅ With consent |
| Document archive | ✅ Cephas full | ✅ Cephas public |
What Press Pass Does NOT Grant#
| Restricted | Reason |
|---|
| Individual member data | Privacy protection |
| Unpublished innovations | IP protection |
| Internal communications | Operational security |
| Vote-by-vote records | Member privacy |
| Financial details (individual) | Privacy protection |
Application Process#
Step 1: Application#
| Field | Required |
|---|
| Name | ✅ |
| Publication/outlet | ✅ |
| Position/role | ✅ |
| Published work samples | ✅ (3 minimum) |
| Editor/supervisor contact | ✅ |
| Story angle (optional) | Helps routing |
| Timeline | When publishing |
Step 2: Verification#
| Check | Method |
|---|
| Publication confirmation | Contact editor |
| Byline verification | Check published clips |
| No conflict of interest | Disclosure review |
| No active litigation | Legal check |
Step 3: Credential Issuance#
| Credential | Duration |
|---|
| Active assignment | Duration of story + 30 days |
| Beat reporter | 1 year, renewable |
| One-time access | Single visit |
Press Pass Badge#
Visual Indicator#
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 📰 PRESS PASS │
│ │
│ [Name] │
│ [Publication] │
│ Tier: [1/2/3/4] │
│ Valid: [Date Range] │
│ │
│ Access: OBSERVATION ONLY │
│ No voting • No transactions │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Badge Visibility#
- Visible to all members when Press Pass holder is present
- Cannot be hidden or made anonymous
- Clearly marked in any forum/discussion they observe
Rules of Engagement#
Journalist Obligations#
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|
| Disclosure | Must identify as press when asking questions |
| Consent | Must get member consent for quotes |
| Accuracy | Platform may respond to factual errors |
| Embargo | Respect any agreed embargoes |
| No trading | Cannot use Press Pass for commercial activity |
| Commitment | Details |
|---|
| Access | Provide promised access levels |
| Response | Answer questions within 48 hours |
| Correction | Correct platform errors promptly |
| No retaliation | Negative coverage doesn’t revoke access |
| Transparency | Explain any access limitations |
Press Liaison#
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|
| Press Liaison | Primary journalist contact |
| Response time | 48 hours for initial response |
| Escalation | Can escalate to Founder for major stories |
| Archives | Maintains press kit, fact sheets |
Press Kit Contents#
- Platform overview (1-pager)
- Founder bio and photos
- Key statistics
- Initiative summaries
- FAQ document
- Contact information
Revocation#
Press Pass May Be Revoked For#
| Violation | Consequence |
|---|
| Fabrication | Permanent revocation |
| Doxxing members | Permanent revocation + legal action |
| Violating member consent | 1-year suspension |
| Misrepresenting access level | Downgrade tier |
| Commercial activity | Revocation |
Appeal Process#
- Written appeal within 30 days
- Review by Press Liaison + one Compass member
- Decision within 14 days
- One appeal per incident
Implementation Notes#
Database Fields#
CREATE TABLE press_credentials (
id UUID PRIMARY KEY,
journalist_name TEXT NOT NULL,
publication TEXT NOT NULL,
tier INTEGER CHECK (tier BETWEEN 1 AND 4),
valid_from DATE NOT NULL,
valid_until DATE NOT NULL,
status TEXT DEFAULT 'active',
editor_contact TEXT,
story_angle TEXT,
notes TEXT,
created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);
Integration Points#
- Member profile display (badge)
- Forum presence indicator
- Access control gates
- Audit logging
“Transparency includes letting others watch and report.”
For the Keep.