I run an industry trade show. Recently, I am getting bombarded by
every individual who runs a two bit news web site who claims he is press and
wants me to issue a press pass. While we are happy to issue press
passes to legitimate news organizations, these folks are just using
their web site to claim to be press but it is really a cover to gain free
admission. How does the White House, MLB, NFL and other companies set
qualification requirements for press. What I am looking for is the
boiler plate language that says something like. To be issued a press
pass you must be "blah blah" and be recognized by "blah blah". Some
minimum that a member of the press must meet to be considered a
legitimate member of the press and not a web site in a garage.

Hello.

Press pass applicants are typically required to submit some or all of
the following:
(1) Business card indicating title
(2) Copy of publication masthead
(3) Assignment letter from publisher or editor
(4) Copy of a recently published article

For online journalists, a link to the web site is often required,
along with statistics about monthly page views and/or the number of
email newsletter subscribers.

Here are examples of how some of your colleagues in the trade show
industry handle this issue:


From Integrated Nanosystems 2002:

"In order to qualify for a press pass, please mail or fax the
following information:

    * A business card with an official title
    * A bylined article (written by you and published within the last
6 months) from an industry publication.

Title Accepted: * Editor-in-Chief * Senior Editor * Executive Editor *
Associate Editor * Technology Editor * Managing Editor * Editor *
Staff Writer * Reporter * Columnist * Photographers

Online Publications: Please provide a link to your online publication
with your name or title appearing in an editorial capacity. Also
provide details of the monthly page views and number of e-mail
newsletter subscribers.

Print Publications: Please provide a link to your print publication's
companion Web site. Also provide details regarding the number of print
subscribers.

Freelance Writers: Please provide a letter of assignment signed by the
editor of the publication for whom you will be covering the event."
Source: asme.org / Integrated Nanosystems 2002 
http://www.asme.org/nano/presspass.html

From DV Expo West:
"To qualify for a press pass, please be prepared to submit a business
card plus at least on of the following credentials: assignment letter
from the editor/publisher on publication letterhead; a bylined
article; or publication masthead."
http://www.dvexpo.com/media/pressreg.shtml

More examples:

From ECTS 2002:
http://www.ects.com/press2.html

From Anime Boston:
http://www.animeboston.com/press/

From Escaping the Old: 
http://www.efsvisions.com/pass.htm

search strategy: "qualify for a press pass"

I hope this helps.

Thank-you! Great Job. 
I had found many of your answers prior to asking the question. I had
been hoping that there was some professional organization that stated
some minimum qualifications. I couldn't find them and obviously you
didn't either. So I used what you had found to screen applicants.
This was my first time using Google Answers and I feel I got my monies
worth.
BTW, our trade show was a great success and we got some awesome press
coverage!