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Information for Journalists

All working press need to have Spring Meetings credentials in order to attend the meetings. Journalists can register on-line at https://www-amsweb-ext.imf.org/press-ext/. Registration for press credentials has closed on April 23, 2009. For queries on registration, please contact media@imf.org, or call (202) 623-7100.

• Journalists in the Washington area must have press credentials issued by either the White House, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the House and Senate Press Gallery, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the USIA Foreign Press Center.
• Journalists based outside Washington must have: 1) press credentials issued by national or local authorities; or 2) must submit an assignment letter from their Editor, along with a copy of the publication. Submissions should be sent to:

  Press Registration
  Executive Board and Member Services Section
  (12-100)
  International Monetary Fund
  700 19th Street N.W., Washington, DC 20431
  
  Fax to [+1] 202-623-4100

The IMF or World Bank will not be responsible for journalists' travel costs and/or other expenses.

• Broadcast networks and organizations seeking accreditation for large numbers of staff are asked to submit a single request listing staff by name and job description via email to media@imf.org, or by fax to [1] 202-623-4100.
• Freelance journalists, including photographers, must provide clear evidence they are on assignment from a specific news organization or publication. A valid assignment letter from that news organization, or publication, is required. Photographic agencies must provide clear evidence from a client news organization or publication.

Requests for accreditation will be denied if applicants cannot establish they are professional journalists, or if the applications are incomplete. Applicants will be notified electronically of their status. If you have any questions about accreditation, please send inquiries to media@imf.org.

Press Credentials Pick-Up

Journalists who have been approved for accreditation can pick up credentials starting at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, at the Press Registration Desk, located in the World Bank's H Building Lobby, with entrance on the west side of 19th Street, between F and G Streets of the World Bank's H Building (600 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC). You are required to present press credentials and photo identification.

The Spring Meetings credential for press grants access to the Press Room, press conferences, and briefings in IMF Headquarters.

Representatives of Civil Society Organizations should visit Information for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) for details on CSO accreditation.

Press Room Arrangements

The Press Room at IMF Headquarters, 700 19th St. NW, Red and Blue Levels, will open at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, and close on Sunday evening, April 26.

Technicians for financial news wires and other accredited news organizations may arrange for advanced access to the IMF Headquarters press room starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20, through special arrangements with the IMF's Media Relations Division (media@imf.org).

The IMF Headquarters press room has limited space, and operates on a first come, first-served basis. Each desk will be equipped with power outlets and a telephone that enables only free local calls. Long-distance calls may be placed collect, or through telephone credit cards. Press Room telephones can be used for data transmission via personal laptops. Self-service fax machines will be available in the Press Room, although use will require a major credit card. Computers are not provided to journalists. The Press Room provides wireless (Wi-Fi) access for personal laptops. For further information regarding telecommunications arrangements within the IMF, please contact Catherine Harty, Tel: (202) 623-7168 E-mail: charty@imf.org

Internet kiosks will be available in the Press Rooms. The Internet kiosks allow easy access to the IMF web site and World Bank Group web site. The web sites will have links to a joint Spring Meetings' site containing the schedule of press events, as well as transcripts, news releases, and other information as it becomes available.

ISDN Lines

The press room does not have ISDN lines in place. Journalists who require an ISDN line can order one directly through Verizon. Please e-mail Potomac.media@verizon.com or call (301) 236-6012

Interview Requests

The World Bank and IMF media relations divisions handle requests for interviews with World Bank and IMF officials during the Meetings. However, the press officers do not service interview requests for official delegations to the Meetings. Those requests must be made directly to the delegations.

Photo Opportunities for TV and Still Photos

The photo opportunities at the start of ministerial committee meetings (Group of 24, International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee) may be pooled. Photojournalists are requested to assemble 15 minutes prior to the event at the Red Level IMF/World Bank Press Desk.

Availability of Still Photos and Video Clips

A selection of still photos in high resolution will be available after each event on the Spring Meetings web site. In addition, broadcast quality video clips of selected press conferences will be available for downloading on www.thenewsmarket.com. This service is free of charge.

Television Transmission and Facilities

To inquire about the limited video and audio transmission arrangements from IMF Headquarters, please send an email to media@imf.org, or a fax to [1] 202-623-6772. Inquiries should be submitted no later than Friday, April 24.

Satellite Trucks

Broadcasters who would like to do live interviews may park their trucks on the street. Please contact Sgt. Kenny Bryson at the MPD (Metropolitan Police Department, contact number 202-727-4383) for information regarding the exact location for parking the trucks.

Official Events

Except for brief photo-opportunities at the start of committee meetings, press cannot attend those meetings.

• The International Monetary and Financial Committee of the Board of Governors, Saturday, April 25.
• The Development Committee, known officially as the Joint Ministerial Committee of the Boards of Governors of the Bank and the Fund on the Transfer of Real Resources to Developing Countries, Sunday, April 26.
• The Group of 24 Ministers, which is known officially as the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (date: To be determined).
• The Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the Group of Seven major industrial countries generally hold a meeting in Washington, D.C., at the time of the Spring Meetings. Arrangements for this meeting are made by the U.S. Treasury (www.treas.gov).

Press Conferences

A tentative schedule of press conferences is posted under Schedule of Events.

All press briefings are transcribed and posted on the external web sites of the IMF and World Bank Group as soon as possible.

Contact Information