The battle with Reynolds American over media access begins

This afternoon, I contacted Maura Payne, a spokesperson for Reynolds American (RAI), regarding my application for a media credential to Friday's RAI's annual shareholders meeting in Winston-Salem on Friday. Payne informed me that the application deadline for media credentials had passed.

When I asked Payne if the company had issued a press release to media outlets, and informed her that no such media advisory was posted on RAI website, she said the company had sent out the press release via PR Newswire, an internet-based information service for journalists.

I went to the PR Newswire website and opened an account. When I performed a search for RAI's press release, I found the media advisory was posted on April 28, and the application was April 30 — 48 hours later.
Here is the text of the e-mail I sent to Payne, Jane Seccom and David Howard — all Reynolds spokespersons — this afternoon:

Dear Jane,
I spoke with Maura Payne earlier today regarding media credentials for the May 7 RAI shareholders meeting. She informed me the deadline for media registration had passed and directed me to the PR Newswire website to find RAI's media advisory on the subject.
I see the media advisory wasn't issued until April 28, and the deadline was 48 hours later.
I have several questions:
1. Has RAI ever imposed this type of deadline on media credential requests in the past? If so, does it typically give journalists 48 hours notice?
2. Is PR Newswire the only place that RAI posts its press releases? Why doesn't RAI publish media advisories on its website?
3. Will RAI employ off-duty Winston-Salem police officers as security personnel for the May 7 shareholders meeting?

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,


Keith T. Barber
Staff Writer
YES! Weekly
Office - 336.316.1231
Cell - 336.837.5539
keith@yesweekly.com