We know it can be confusing when you are trying to decide what professional organization you will join and therefore attach yourself to!

The choices have grown over the past decade but unfortunately some of the websites you may come across are less than forthcoming when it comes to how they can really help and support you.

We've gone ahead and created a list of the different organizations, groups and websites that are out there that either offer or claim to offer help and support of varying degrees to you as either a freelancer or professional.

In an effort to be impartial, we have created the list in alphabetical order. The following list(s) are US websites that do offer or claim to offer (press credentials, media credentials, freelance press credentials and even those that claim to offer some type of magic "press pass" they claim will get you into any place you want. (be sure to avoid the latter)

• AAJA - Asian American Journalists Association

• AEJ - Association of European Journalists

• AI Press aka USPress Corps

• AHCJ - Association Of Health Care Journalists

• APA - American Press Association

• CPJ - Committee To Protect Journalists

• Free Press (501c3)

• GNA - GNA24

• HKJA - Hong Kong Journalists Association

• IA-PP - ?

• IFJ - International Federation Of Journalists

• IPI - International Press Institute

• NABJ - National Association Of Black Journalists

• NAHJ - National Association Of Hispanic Journalists

• Newsmexx TV not to be confused with NewsMax TV

• NLGJA - The Association Of LGBTQ Journalists

• NPPA - National Press Photographers Association

• NUJ - National Union Of Journalists

• NWU - National Writers Union

• ONA - Online News Association

• PAM - Pam Lifestyle

• Reporters Without Borders

• SPJ - Society Of Professional Journalists

• UJPA - United Journalists & Photographers Association

• United States Press Agency

• UPA News

• The USPA - US Press Association