I think this is a great suggestion. I know that amateur and even professional photographers (non-Press persons) face endless nuisance simply due the lack of an official looking card. 

Do we actually have an 'office'? If so, its address on the card would help. Only thing is since probably the 'number' might be a volunteer, we should try not to have such persons bothered by nuisance calls. Perhaps we can take a SIM for the purpose and attach it to an answering service (computer-based). 

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 4:55 PM, Fae <faenwp@gmail.com> wrote:
Could I make a practical suggestion to help those that might be
challenged in public places or when going into institutions?

In the UK we are looking at making "official" press cards for
established Wikinews reporters. I know from experience that taking
photographs in India can be problematic for many reasons, not just the
police. If the local chapter could produce letters of authority or
"press ID" for regular contributors, this might make our contributers
feel a bit more confident about having something to produce when
questioned about what they are doing.

The "press ID" in the UK would work by the person having their
identity on file with the London office. If there are questions about
their work (for example photographs being taken or interviews) then
the person's real life ID can be checked by phoning the chapter
office. This does not have to compromize their on-line identity if
anonymous, as real-life identity is kept confidential by the chapter.
In most cases we would expect that having an "official" looking card
or letter would solve most problems on the spot, particularly when the
Wikimedian can say "please phone my office if you want to confirm my
details".

You can find a discussion about the press ID system for the UK at
<http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/Microgrants/Wikinews_reporter_IDs>. WMUK
would be open to supporting an internationally recognized system along
these lines.

Thanks,
Fae
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