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Charlotte County Public Schools

Media Credentials

  • Four young female athletes compete in a track race on a bright blue track.
  • basketball players
  • Volleyball pleyers
  • A group of cheerleaders in blue and gold uniforms pose with a trophy and medals on a basketball court.
  • A young soccer player in a blue jersey with the number 2 kicks a ball on a grassy field.

Protocols for Media Credentials

The Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) Office of Communications and Community Engagement reviews and approves all media credential requests for visits to schools, support sites, and school- or district-sponsored events, practices, and competitions. Only approved, credentialed members of traditional news media are permitted sideline access at CCPS athletic events. Non-traditional media, recruiting photographers, athlete profile services, and individuals providing pay-for-service photography or videography are not permitted on the sidelines unless specifically authorized by CCPS. Approval must be obtained prior to the visit and is subject to the following CCPS Media Credential Protocols.

Eligible Media

  • Daily or weekly newspapers
  • Television stations/networks
  • Radio stations/networks
  • Recognized online news organizations
  • FHSAA representatives
  • National and international news agencies
  • Sports talk programs originating from recognized broadcasters

Generally Not Eligible

Instead of burying these throughout the document, group them together.

  • Podcasts that do not meet the eligibility requirements
  • Recruiting photographers/videographers
  • Athlete profile promoters
  • Pay-for-service photographers
  • Gambling publications
  • Agents
  • Scouts
  • Guests, spouses, or children accompanying credentialed media
  • Freelancers may be approved when working on assignment with the approval of the Athletic Director or school administration.
  • Community partner organizations and magazines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Upon Arrival

  • Park in any marked parking space.
  • Show your credential if parking attendants request payment.
  • Identify yourself as credentialed media at the entrance.
  • During school hours, check in through the front office with a government-issued ID.
  • Wear attire identifying your media organization.

 

Expectations for Credentialed Media

  • Do not bring non-credentialed guests.
  • Remain professional and impartial.
  • Do not cheer.
  • Do not block spectator views.
  • Respect officials, coaches, athletes, and school staff.
  • Keep workspaces clean.
  • Do not enter team benches or locker rooms.
  • Do not interfere with play.
  • Follow all sport-specific restrictions.
  • Flash photography is prohibited.
  • Drones are prohibited.

Violations of Credential Policies

Failure to comply with these protocols may result in:

  • Immediate removal from the event
  • Revocation of current credentials
  • Denial of future credential requests
  • Additional restrictions determined by school administration

Sport-Specific Guidelines

CROSS COUNTRY: Photographers may not be in the way of timing equipment, officials, coaches, or student-athletes.

BASEBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the field of play and must be outside the fence and field of play.

BASKETBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the court (including the painted baseline area and behind the basket/lane) and cannot shoot in front of or behind team benches and the scorer’s table. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

FOOTBALL: Photographers are not permitted on the sidelines between the 25-yard lines and must remain outside the restraining lines surrounding the field. Do not stand directly below the uprights.

GOLF: Photographers are not allowed in any areas in which they are in the line of play or could interfere with officials, coaches, or student-athletes.

SOCCER: Photographers are permitted on the sideline but not in front of the bleachers. Photographers should avoid the endline areas.

SOFTBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the field of play and must be outside the fence.

SWIMMING: Photographers are allowed on the pool deck but may not be in the way of the timing equipment, officials, coaches, or student-athletes. No photography is allowed behind the starting blocks.

TENNIS: Photographers must be outside of the fence and may not be in the way of coaches. Photographers should not obstruct the view of fans.

TRACK: Photographers are not allowed in any areas in which they would interfere with the running of an event and must be out of the way of timing equipment, officials, coaches, and student-athletes.

VOLLEYBALL: Photographers are not allowed on the court (including the painted baseline area) and are not allowed to shoot in front of or behind team benches or the scorer’s table. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

WEIGHTLIFTING: Photographers are not allowed on the platform and are not allowed to be in the way of officials, coaches, or student-athletes. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

WRESTLING: Photographers are not allowed on the mat and are not allowed to be in the way of officials, coaches, or student-athletes. Photographers should not affect the view of fans.

 

Thank you for taking the time to familiarize yourself with these protocols and for your work informing the public about the schools, students, and staff who make up Charlotte County Public Schools.