Communications Department » Media Credentialing for RCS Athletic Events

Media Credentialing for RCS Athletic Events

 

Procedures for Credentialing Media to Cover Middle and High School Athletics

 

To ensure the safety of students and the integrity of school athletic events, all individuals requesting access to cover middle and high school athletic contests must obtain official media credentials in advance. The following procedures outline the requirements and process for credentialing media representatives.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

Media credentials will be issued only to individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

 

  • Recognized Media Outlet:

The applicant must represent a verified newspaper, television station, radio station, or recognized online publication that routinely covers high school or middle school athletics.

 

  • Sports Website or Social Media Platform:

Individuals representing a website, blog, or social media platform must demonstrate a consistent history of legitimate sports coverage, particularly involving middle or high school athletics.

 

  • Student Media:

Students who are members of official school media programs (e.g., school newspaper, yearbook staff, or school television/broadcast program) may be credentialed under the supervision of a faculty sponsor or school administrator.

 

Application Process

 

  • Submission:
    • Credential requests must be submitted at least five (5) business days prior to the event.
    • Requests must be submitted using the official online Media Credential Request Form (link to be inserted), which will be reviewed by the RCS Communications Department and the RCS Athletics Department.

 

    • Applicants should include the following information in their submission:
      • Name of applicant
      • Affiliated organization or school
      • Contact information (email and phone number)
      • Type of coverage requested (photography, videography, reporting, etc.)
      • Specific event(s) for which access is requested

 

  • Verification and Approval:

The RCS Communications and Athletics Departments will verify the applicant’s affiliation and history of legitimate coverage before approval. Approved applicants will receive confirmation and instructions for credential pickup, game-day access, and any applicable restrictions.

 

 

  • Annual Credentials:

An annual media pass may be issued to individuals who routinely cover multiple Rutherford County schools and sports throughout the school year. Annual passes will be subject to the same review and verification process and may be revoked at any time for policy violations.

 

  • Additional School-Based Credentials:

At their discretion, a school’s athletic director or administration may approve additional credentials, including but not limited to booster club or athletic program representatives who need to capture game footage or photographs for legitimate promotional, communications, or training purposes.

 

Credential Use and Conduct
  • Media credentials are non-transferable and valid only for the individual named on the pass.
  • Credentialed individuals must follow all RCS policies, including those related to student privacy, appropriate conduct, and sideline safety.
  • Credentialed photographers and videographers must remain in designated areas and follow directions from school or event officials at all times.
  • Misuse of credentials, disruptive behavior, or failure to comply with staff instructions may result in revocation of credentials and/or denial of future access.

 

Student Privacy and Content Restrictions

  • Media representatives must adhere to FERPA and RCS policies, which prohibit the publication of personally identifiable student information beyond standard event coverage without consent.
  • Live streaming or rebroadcasting entire games is not permitted without prior written authorization from the RCS Communications Department.

 

Revocation or Denial of Credentials

Rutherford County Schools reserves the right to deny or revoke media credentials at any time if an applicant fails to meet eligibility standards, violates district policies, or engages in unprofessional behavior at school events.

 

 

 

For the purpose of these guidelines, the phrase “Recognized Traditional Media Organizations” refers to media outlets that produce and broadcast news programming and/or newspapers in traditional print and digital form to a mass audience, such as:

 

  • Daily News Journal
  • ESPN
  • Main Street Media / The Murfreesboro Post
  • MaxPreps 
  • Nashville Scene 
  • Rutherford Source 
  • The Murfreesboro Pulse
  • The Tennessean 
  • WGNS Radio
  • WKRN / News 2
  • WNPT / Nashville PBS
  • WSMV / 4 News
  • WTVF / NewsChannel 5
  • WUXP / My 30
  • WZTV / FOX17

 

For the purpose of these guidelines, the phrase “Non-Traditional/New Media” refers to independent reporters, bloggers, photographers, and videographers whose work primarily appears on the internet or social media platforms such as:

 

  • Facebook
  • Hudl
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • TikTok
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

 

Rutherford County Schools reserves the right to refuse access or media requests to non-compliant individuals.