Barack Obama's campaign managers have told media organisations that they must pay for the best camera and reporting positions when covering the candidate's outdoor election night activities in Chicago. Prices range from $935 (£504) to $880 (£475). And obtaining credentials will cost up to $1,815 (£980).
Journalists don't like this one bit. Lynn Sweet, veteran Washington bureau chief for the Chicago Sun-Times calls it "an outrageous pay-to-play plan that caters to national elite (media) outlets with deep pockets."
And Greg Hinz of Crain's Business News points out that though media companies are traditionally charged for out-of-pocket costs in traveling with campaigns fees are rarely if ever charged for the coverage itself.
