LINCOLN- Gov. Ricketts described his new application process for credentialing news organizations as "process improvement". He had no further comments after the news entities present asked about the application. Media of Nebraska which represents the state's print and broadcast news organizations responded to the governor and called the process a 'red flag' for First Amendment rights.
A pair of reporters from NOISE Omaha, the news outlet recently barred from the governor's press conferences, asked Ricketts a handful of questions after a horseback ride with NU President Ted Carter. NOISE was reportedly banned because it is “an advocacy organization funded by liberal donors” and not a mainstream news outlet."
Similar credentialing processes exist in Congress, the Wisconsin's Governor's Office and the Texas Legislature. A lawsuit was made against the Wisconsin Governor's Office but the court ruled that the media-access criteria are reasonable and do not suppress expression.
The form for credentialing includes a variety of questions including things such as asking if the outlet is engaged in lobbying, paid advocacy or a member of a trade organization.