Update:
The $200 WiFi that reporters have to use is not working:
Hofstra University's wifi for thousands of journalists has been down for last 45 mins at #debates. A Hofstra hot mess.
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) September 26, 2016
Somebody tell him that the $200 press wifi is reportedly down.
— Brandon Tucker (@BrandonTucker) September 26, 2016
So the $200 per person WiFi in the media room is down ¯_(ツ)_/¯ #Debates2016
— Ryan Beckler (@RyanBeckler) September 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/OurRevolution2/status/780553159529918465
LOL.
Original post:
Members of the media are outraged right now over phone cops (that’s a “WKRP in Cincinnati” reference) patrolling press row for reporters who are using their own wi-fi hotspots instead of the mandated $200 fore wireless access from Hofstra:
There was just an announcement in the debate filing center that personal wifi dongles are prohibited, instead you must buy their $200 wifi
— Jim Newell (@jim_newell) September 26, 2016
Technicians patrolling #debatenight press file using this device to detect & shut down hotspots, so they can sell $200 wifi accounts instead pic.twitter.com/JzbkzlZR1g
— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) September 26, 2016
Electricity and ethernet connections cost extra, too:
Dear god. @RyanBeckler just sent me this from Hofstra. They're charging $200 for media WiFi access. pic.twitter.com/VSagT6ZerF
— Steph Haberman (@StephLauren) September 26, 2016
Reporters who refuse are having their credentials pulled:
Douchey, but suppose legal if they make it a choice of "pay or leave."
Jamming definitely illegal under FCC Act of 1934. https://t.co/T0MtRqmlAX
— Jim Swift (@JimSwiftDC) September 26, 2016
That's how they frame it: you can keep using hotspot or you can keep your #debatenight credentials.
If you chose the latter, you get tossed. https://t.co/6WZKnZVPPB— Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) September 26, 2016
If you like your WiFi, you can keep your WiFi … but get the hell out?
Some reporters have found a way around the cost through bribery:
Wifi access in the secret service media area is $200. Some reporters resorted to bribing students. #Debates2016 https://t.co/8FUlAMzY4T
— Long Island Patch (@longislandpatch) September 26, 2016
While others are begging for money:
we're fundraising at KPR this week: do @tamarakeithNPR @sarahmccammon @NPRrelving need us to pass the hat for $200 for the wifi at Hofstra?
— Laura Lorson (@prairielaura) September 26, 2016
And now for the WKRP clip…
Phone cops, man … they play hardball:
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