Since our inception there have been websites popping up attempting to pass themselves off as the US Press Association.
We would say "we are flattered" if it wasn't so damaging!
The facade that is put up by some of these websites is very elaborate. There are interconnected webs of "press agencies" offering to sell you a fake card they call a "press pass". They list their "publications" in an effort to give the site legitimacy. The fact is, these "publications" are just a lure to get people to think they could actually be part of a "pseudo media conglomerate". All this type of site wants to do is attract enough people to use their work to make it look like they are actually doing something. That is never the issue with the US Press Association, THE USPA. We focus on driving visitors, viewers and listeners to your site or social media profile, because joining our organization is about bringing out the best in you not us.
Fact is, these people have no idea what they are doing. Sure, they have convinced enough people to buy their bogus product and if you go to their site you'll see some members. These numbers pale in comparison to the vast member base that has chosen to trust us, the original, the authentic, The US Press Association. These bogus sites and their operators desperately want to know he we operate.
Why do they want to know? Well the answer is simple, we have been dedicated to serving and assisting freelance and professional journalists and others involved in media for close to two decades now. These pop-up websites have been around for weeks, some have managed to deceive their way into a few years of operation.
This surge in fake "press agencies" is creating a lasting mark on the integrity of freelance and even professional media organizations.
So many of these websites are really just one big web owned and controlled by a few people.
They create a business structure and set up a registered agent office in a state like Nevada, meanwhile they are nowhere to be found within the United States, instead they reside elsewhere in countries like Germany, Russia and several others. Of course, being a resident of these other countries is not an issue, the issue lies within the deceptive web in which they cast to catch unsuspecting individuals.
These fake sites tend to lure people with tempting phrases like "get your backstage pass". Any practicing journalist, photographer, videographer can tell you that simply having writing, video, photo access does NOT give you backstage access. We believe in being honest with our members and try to educate those that may just be starting out in the field about what is expected of them when we help them secure press passes for specific places or events.
"We need to take a stance against this type of deceptive practice"
We won't lure, lie or cheat to obtain members. Our members are here because they made a solid and informed decision about the organization they wished to become part of. Please stand with us and you can rest assured that we will always have the best interest of our members in mind.
Stand with us. Become a member today...
Obtaining a balance between Prepared and Hoarding.
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Are press passes free?
This is actually a very good question. It can also bring to light other details regarding various definitions and details about (press passes, press credentials, media passes) and the like.
Press passes can be both free or have some sort of fee associated with them either directly or indirectly.
If you are speaking about a press pass or press credential that is issued by the possessors employer, this type of press pass would be issued to the holder in all probability at no charge as they would be using such a credential/identification in the course of their job function(s).
A press pass and or press credential can also be issued by an organization or association (trade group/website). This type of press pass would likely be issued as part of their association membership which usually has a professional fee or membership cost associated with joining.
If you are referring to a press pass, media pass, VIP Pass, venue pass, backstage pass, this type of credential is typically issued for free by (venue management, managers, artist management, PR) or other individual or group that is in charge of the venue or event. This issuance of this type of media pass is usually dependent upon the individual requesting the pass having a pre-existing press pass or media credential. It is the possession of a press pass, media pass that lets the individual or group that issues event type passes know that the inquiring individual has some establishment of a role in media/new media.

The US Press Association "USPA" issues a press pass to it's members as part of it's proprietary industry membership packet. USPA credentials and press pass are issued to a member regardless of the membership packet an individual chooses.

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10Apr, 2020