Surprise, Surprise. In an act that can only be described as jealously guarding its own turf, the Standing Committee of Correspondents ruled yesterday that scotusblog's Lyle Denniston couldn't have his press credential renewed for the Senate because scotusblog isn't an independent news organization. Scotusblog's response can be read there, but more details after the squiggle.
Scotusblog is the premiere source for all news about the Supreme Court. Really probably the only news organization reliably covering the Supreme Court. Last year when the ACA decision came down, they were one of the first to correctly report the news after bothering to actually read the decision instead of just spouting off nonsense. On Wednesday and Thursday morning and possibly next Monday, scotusblog is where I'll be waiting to see what decisions are released in important cases like Hobby Lobby, recess appointments (Noel Canning), unions (Harris), cell phone searches (Riley and Wurie), abortion clinic protests (Coakley), and streaming OTA TV (Aereo). Because I certainly don't trust the MSM to give me accurate and knowledgeable news about these decisions. And how did I know these cases are still outstanding and when they are scheduled to be released(though not which on which day)? Again, from Scotusblog.
But apparently they are not a news organization. In order to be a news organization you need to falsely report that the ACA had been struck down on TV for ten minutes. You also need to be completely ignorant of the subject matter you are reporting on, because one of the Standing Committee's prime objections was that the blog is run by a lawyer. Fancy that. The steps scotusblog takes to avoid even the appearance of conflict of interest are beyond reproach. And are more than most other news organizations take. And you can't have ads either. Don't ask me how other news organizations make money; it doesn't make sense to me either.
Lyle Denniston is a full time reporter who covers the Supreme Court and needed press credential access to the Senate to cover bills and hearings pertinent to the Supreme Court such as hearings on constitutional amendments, SCOTUS's budget, hearings where justices testify, and confirmation hearings. Giving him a press credential is the least they can do. But I guess they are more interesting in protecting their little fiefdom[the Senate itself tries to avoid getting involved in these decisions].
Based on this decision, if Markos wanted to hire a full time reporter to cover congress, it is doubtful that they could get a press credential.