Press note: How does Defcon differ from your state fair?

Congratulations to the Dateline NBC reporter who didn't register as press for Defcon and worked “undercover.” I hope all other technology reporters covering this conference take similar action next time this group meets as a protest of its revolting conference press registration requirement.

The decision by news organizations to play along with Defcon's press registration rules is an embarrassment.  

I have never attended a Defcon conference. It’s not my beat. But covering conferences is much of what I do and I’m very familiar with press registration requirements. Robert McMillan at IDG summarized the Defcon conference rules:

Cameras of any kind are a strict no-no at the show, which bills itself as a gathering for hackers, both legitimate, and not-so-legitimate, and takes special steps to ensure the privacy of its attendees. The show keeps no list of attendees, except for press and speakers, and there's only one way to get in the door: paying $100 cash.

 

I have no problem with a rule prohibiting electronics, video recording, because it has been applied, I’m assuming, to all Defcon attendees.

My issue is with a requirement that press must register when attendees can remain anonymous. As McMillan reports, all an attendee has to do is pay $100 cash. They don't have to a show driver's license or passport and credit card payment isn’t allowed. So why do reporters go along with this noxious registration rule? Are attendees somehow put at ease if reporters participate in this press warning ID system?  

If Defcon is imposing no other rule than the $100 fee for registration, then this conference is an open venue. It’s public . It's just like paying admission to enter a state fair.  

Moreover, any blogger can write about Defcon and do so anonymously. The press registration requirements changes nothing for attendees. It doesn't make them less paranoid.

If I'm going to interview someone at a conference, notebook in hand, I'll identify myself and I suspect reporters from credible organizations will do likewise. And if I interview an attendee, I'll give them my business card so they can easily contact me. If they want to remain anonymous, I'll respect that. Other reporters will do the same -- credibility depends on it.

News organizations have to decide whether they want to play along with Defcon. If Defcon doesn't end the registration requirement, then don't register as press. Register as an attendee. They'll probably figure out who you are, but better to be kicked out by conference organizers then to work under their thumb.