Press Credentialing for President Jimmy Carter State Funeral

The official schedule for the State Funeral of for former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States is available at https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/. Details regarding press coverage opportunities for the State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States are listed below. Media interested in covering the state funeral must.  

Media interested in covering the state funeral must request credentials for each ceremony site in Washington, D.C., and Georgia by the established deadlines. Late requests will not be accepted once media credentialing closes. 

HOW ARE MEDIA CREDENTIALS ALLOCATED? 

Media credentials are allocated based on media types and availability at a ceremony site. For a state funeral, the number of credentialed media for each ceremony site is determined by spacing limitations, security considerations, the ceremony type, and family desires.  

Outlets requesting multiple positions based on media types are not guaranteed to receive both types of credentials. Each outlet will receive the following number of credentials based on the position the outlet is approved for.  

Media credentials and/or underlays are transferrable within the same organization as long as the credential holder’s name was originally submitted and is on the list of approved names. If a name is not on the list, the individual will not be granted to access to the ceremony site.  

REQUESTING PRESS CREDENTIALS 

Media representatives must be prepared to submit the following information via the media credentialing platform:  

• Contact information for the media organization’s lead for each ceremony site (i.e., name, phone number, email, etc.) 

• Names of individuals slated to go on-site and back-ups in case something comes up. For groups, media organizations may upload a spreadsheet with all names of talent and crew via the media credentialing platform.  

• Vehicle information/requirements to include length of vehicle. 

• Anticipated equipment for a ceremony site (i.e., LiveU, cabling, etc.) 

• Freelancers must submit a recent letter, on company letterhead, signed by editor-in-chief or director of the media organization stating the freelancer is covering the state funeral on behalf of the media organization. (Note: Failure to submit this letter will result in the credential request not being processed.) 

Submission of a request for credentials to a ceremony site does not guarantee media organizations will receive a position and credentials for the ceremony. Media representatives requesting a credential must represent a bona fide media organization. Upon submission of a request, the submitter may download a copy of the submission on the final page. Media organizations will also receive an automated email acknowledging the submission. Contact Joint Task Force-National Capital Region at statefuneralpress@army.mil only if your organization does not receive this confirmation within four (4) hours of submission. 

Once a request is submitted, Joint Task Force-National Capital Region will review all requests for ceremony sites managed by the Department of Defense and notify press of final disposition within 24 to 48 hours. Of note, media credentialing for each ceremony site is worked in sequential order, based on the final schedule.  

Note for Washington, D.C. ceremony sites: The media credentialing process includes a background check through the United State Secret Service. When submitting a request for press credentials, each organization will be required to include contact information for a primary and alternate individual who bears responsibility for submitting all required information (i.e., personally identifiable information and digital photos) for background checks to the United State Secret Service.  

MEDIA COVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES 

Georgia 

The Carter Center is managing two courtesy locations for press to do stand-ups and live shots at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta and in the downtown area of Plains, Georgia. Press interested in either of these courtesy locations must contact The Carter Center at media@cartercenter.org.  

JTF-NCR will manage all press credentials, positions, and logistics for the following ceremony sites: Carter Presidential Center, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Lawson Army Airfield at Fort Moore, Maranatha Baptist Church, and interment. Press interested in covering the official ceremonies at these sites must submit a request at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/Xh75rRXC3L. If approved for a position at either of these locations, JTF-NCR will send your organization additional information on where to pick-up press credentials, ceremony site logistics, arrival dates and times, and any other pertinent information.  

Additionally, the State Capitol Protocol Office, in coordination with The Carter Center, will manage all press credentials, positions, and logistics for the Georgia State Capitol. Press interested in covering the ceremony at the state capitol must submit a request at https://forms.gle/KJ4ABq51CNvgXSgm6. 

Coverage opportunities and deadlines for requesting media credentials are as follows:  

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Washington, D.C.  

JTF-NCR will manage all press credentials, positions, and logistics for the following ceremony sites: Joint Base Andrews, Funeral Procession, and Washington National Cathedral. Media interested in covering these ceremonies must submit a request at https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/6GMXABxEKX no later than Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, 6 p.m. (EST). If approved for a position, media organizations are required to submit additional information for U.S. Secret Service background checks. Additional information on where to pick-up press credentials, ceremony site logistics, arrival dates and times, and any other pertinent information will be disseminated to outlets approved for a press position at any of the ceremony sites. 
 

Coverage opportunities in Washington, D.C. are as follows:  

• Joint Base Andrews (arrival and departure ceremonies): Open press coverage. 

• Funeral Procession: Open press coverage across from Navy Memorial for casket transfer; Pooled press coverage for funeral procession from Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol.  

• U.S. Capitol: Contact the Capitol Galleries.  

• Washington National Cathedral: Open press coverage on West Lawn and in the balcony of the Cathedral (print, still, radio only); Pooled press coverage for floor of Cathedral. 
   

The Capitol Galleries will manage all press credentials, positions, and logistics for the U.S. Capitol. Press interested in covering ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol must contact:  

• Press Photographers - Press Photographers Gallery at (202) 224-6548 or press_photo@saa.senate.gov. 

• Broadcast media - Senate Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 224-6421 or SenateRTVG@saa.senate.gov. 

• Writing Press - Senate Daily Press Gallery at (202) 224-0241 or Senate_Press_Gallery@saa.senate.gov. 

• Periodical Press (Magazines, Newsletters, Weekly Newspapers) - Senate Periodical Press Gallery at (202) 224-0265 or periodicals@saa.senate.gov. 

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LOGISTICS & PRESS CREDENTIAL PICK-UP 

Additional details regarding on-site logistics, security procedures, credential pick-up, and arrival and departure times and locations will be directly transmitted to media representatives approved for credentials for each ceremony site. 
 

MEDIA NOTES:  

• By applying for and accepting a State Funeral Press Credential, press agree to adhere to the media guidelines in place for the State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Failure to adhere to the media guidelines may lead to the denial or revocation of a press credential.  

• Every effort will be made to approve as many media requests to cover the state funeral. Ceremony sites may have capacity limitations; in this instance, media access is either pooled press coverage or spacing is limited to first-come, first-serve.  

• Generally speaking, still, print, radio, digital/online, podcasts, or bloggers will be placed on the ground in front of or alongside the press stand.  

• Media organizations and representatives are responsible for requesting credentials/positions for each ceremony site and ensuring all talent and crew names are submitted to both JTF-NCR and the U.S. Secret Service (D.C. Only). Additionally, each outlet is encouraged to submit alternate names in case something comes up and personnel need to be changed out. 

• All press must have a government issued ID when checking in at a ceremony site. Submitted names must match the government issued ID being presented. Names not matching IDs may not be granted access to a ceremony site.  

• Individuals lacking a credential or not on the approved media credentialing list will not be allowed through the security checkpoint. Media representatives encountering issues will be asked to step aside and work through the issues with on-site Joint Task Force-National Capital Region staff.  

• Once on-site, press must always have their credential on and keep it in a visible location at all times (eye level or lanyard preferred). 

• When on a ceremony site, there should be no talking and/or commentary from the moment the motorcade comes into view, throughout the ceremony, and until the motorcade/procession is out of camera sight.  

• Press are not allowed to mark or save spots with tape. All press stand positions are assigned and marked off by Joint Task Force-National Capital Region. If your organization does not arrive by the final time to access a ceremony site, your spot will be re-assigned to another outlet.  

• Media are responsible for their own personal and professional gear. During security sweeps, press are required to leave equipment in place and will be escorted to a media hold area until sweeps are concluded.  

• Ceremony sites may or may not offer a media hold area. Internet connectivity, power, food, water, and appropriate gear for inclement weather are the responsibility of the media representative attending the ceremony. 

• Parking at ceremony sites will be limited to satellite trucks. Media should consider carpooling, drop-off, or using a ride-share company when possible. Crew vehicles will be accommodated, when possible. 

• Due to security restrictions, satellite trucks may be required to stage the day prior to a ceremony and must remain in-place until the conclusion of the ceremony.  

• When on a military installation, media are only permitted in designated areas and must be escorted by military personnel at all times.  

• Department of Defense acquired imagery will also be available for media use and download at https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/JimmyCarterStateFuneral. 

If the above information does not answer your question, contact Joint Task Force-National Capital Region at statefuneralpress@army.mil. The media team will respond as quickly as possible. If your question is related to a particular ceremony site, additional information will be disseminated after the release of the official state funeral schedule of events.