Lumpkin County High School Athletics

Media Credentialing Policy & Procedures

The following media protocols govern Lumpkin County High School (LCHS) Athletics regular season athletic events. Postseason events are governed by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) media policies and procedures.

REQUIREMENT FOR CREDENTIALS

All media representatives, multimedia journalists, reporters, bloggers, vloggers, social media content creators, athletic promoters, photographers, videographers, individuals, or companies seeking access to a Lumpkin County High School athletic event for the purpose of photography, videography, reporting, recording, broadcasting, livestreaming, or other media coverage must apply for and receive an official Lumpkin County High School Athletics Media Credential.

Each credentialed individual must visibly wear their credential while working at an LCHS athletic event.

Credentialed individuals are also required to notify the LCHS Athletic Department of their intention to attend an event by contacting:

Matt Walters
Assistant Principal / Athletic Director
Lumpkin County High School
matt.walters@lumpkinschools.com
(228) 243-2334

WHO MAY APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE CREDENTIALS

Tier One

Journalists representing recognized newspapers, television stations, radio stations, digital media outlets, or other organizations whose primary purpose is to provide news coverage and tell stories through print, broadcast, or online media.

Tier Two

Individuals taking photographs or video at the request of a participating school, including:

  • School newspapers
  • Yearbooks
  • School video production programs
  • Team photographers
  • Parent photographers authorized by the school

Tier Three

For-profit, athlete profile promoters or video or still photography professionals working for recuiters.

Any work considered for-profit or fee-for-service is not considered traditional news media.

This tier must submit signed Consent and Release Forms for all student-athletes being photographed or filmed prior to credential approval.

Although members of the public may attend athletic events, events held on Lumpkin County School property are not public forums. Due to student privacy concerns and applicable federal laws, including FERPA, credential holders in this tier shall refrain from photographing or selling images or video of spectators, fans, or student-athletes who are not identified in an approved consent and release form.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS GUIDING ATHLETIC CREDENTIALING

These credentialing rules are administered and interpreted by Lumpkin County High School Athletics.

Lumpkin County High School reserves the right to grant, deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict media credentials at its sole discretion.

Lumpkin County High School reserves the right to amend these policies and procedures at any time.

Credential requests from internet sites, specialty publications, recruiting services, scouting organizations, colleges, universities, and similar organizations will be evaluated individually in accordance with the credentialing tiers above.

Credential applications must be submitted annually for review and approval prior to receiving credentials.

EXPECTATIONS FOR CREDENTIALED MEDIA

Members of the media are expected to:

  • Conduct themselves professionally at all times.
  • Be respectful toward student-athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, support personnel, fans, and fellow media members.
  • Avoid distracting participants, officials, coaches, or spectators.
  • Refrain from cheering or demonstrating favoritism while working in an official media capacity.
  • Avoid obstructing the view of spectators.
  • Not provide media access or admission privileges to individuals who are not credentialed.
  • Follow all instructions provided by event management, game administrators, security personnel, and athletic department staff.

Failure to comply with these expectations may result in removal from the event and revocation of future credential privileges.

SPECIFIC TO STILL PHOTOGRAPHERS & VIDEOGRAPHERS

Approved photographers and videographers must present their media credentials upon request.

Photographers are prohibited from occupying the field of play or any area that interferes with officials, coaches, cheerleaders, student-athletes, or game administration.

Flash photography is prohibited during competition.

All equipment must remain under the control of the credentialed individual and may not create hazards or interfere with spectators.

SPORT-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

Cross Country

Photographers may not interfere with timing equipment, officials, coaches, or student-athletes.

Baseball

Photographers are not permitted on the field of play and must remain outside the perimeter fencing.

Basketball

Photographers are prohibited from entering the playing court, including the painted baseline areas and the space behind the basket.

Photography is not permitted directly in front of or behind team benches, the scorer's table, or cheerleaders.

Photographers should not obstruct spectators' views.

Football

Photographers are not permitted on the sidelines between the 20-yard lines.

Photographers must remain outside the restraining lines surrounding the playing field.

Golf

Photographers must remain outside the line of play and may not interfere with officials, coaches, or competitors.

Soccer

Photographers may work along the sidelines but may not position themselves directly in front of spectator seating.

Photographers should avoid end line areas during play.

Softball

Photographers are not permitted on the field of play and must remain outside the perimeter fencing.

Swimming

Photographers may work on the pool deck provided they do not interfere with officials, coaches, timing equipment, or competitors.

Photography is prohibited behind the starting blocks.

Tennis

Photographers must remain outside court fencing and avoid interfering with coaches or spectators.

Track & Field

Photographers must remain clear of competition areas and avoid interfering with events, timing equipment, officials, coaches, or competitors.

Volleyball

Photographers are prohibited from entering the playing court, including the painted baseline areas.

Photography is not permitted directly in front of or behind team benches or the scorer's table.

Photographers should not obstruct spectators' views.

Wrestling

Photographers are not permitted on the competition mat.

They must remain clear of officials, coaches, and competitors and avoid obstructing spectators.

LIVESTREAMING & BROADCAST RIGHTS

Lumpkin County High School reserves the right to approve or deny livestreaming and broadcast requests.

Receiving a media credential does not automatically grant permission to livestream or broadcast an athletic contest.

Separate approval may be required for any audio or video broadcast of an LCHS athletic event.

USE OF IMAGES & VIDEO

Images, video, and audio captured under an LCHS Athletics Media Credential shall be used only for the purpose stated in the credential application.

Commercial use outside the approved purpose may result in revocation of credential privileges.

Lumpkin County High School reserves the right to prohibit photography or videography that interferes with the educational environment, athletic competition, student privacy, or school operations.

ENFORCEMENT

Failure to comply with these policies may result in:

  • Immediate removal from the venue
  • Revocation of current credentials
  • Denial of future credential requests
  • Additional action deemed appropriate by Lumpkin County High School Administration