English
FrançaisMedia Registration
Media Registration and General Rules
All foreign Journalists are advised to submit a full list of all the equipment they will be bringing into ICASA 2023 host country including serial numbers to (media@saafrica.org ) with urgency.The registration for media representatives includes entry to all conference sessions, the exhibition and poster area, the opening and closing session and the media centre. Conference kits will not be given to media representatives.
Kindly note that media registration for ICASA 2023 will be opened on 1st March 2023.
The conference organizers strongly recommend that media representatives bringing professional video equipment into ICASA 2023 conference, to obtain a “Temporary Admission / Admission Temporaire” to ease customs processes at the border. Failure to follow ICASA 2023 host country’s custom procedures may result in equipment being delayed at the border.
Registration confirmation for journalists
A registration confirmation will be sent by email after the ICASA 2023 Registration Department has received the duly completed registration form, the related payment (if applicable) and the applicant’s media credentials have been verified and confirmed. Media representatives may be requested to present this registration confirmation at the registration counter as proof of their registration.Please note that access to the media centre may be refused without this identification.
On-site Registration for journalists
Most journalists will complete the accreditation process before the conference begins. However, an on-site accreditation desk will be available in the registration area. The hours for on-site accreditation are per the above registration time.
Registration Name Change
A name change to an existing media registration is not possible. The granted media registration must be cancelled and the new media representative must register and submit the required documents.On-Site Media Centre
Media delegates are strongly advised to bring their own laptops, however, conference organizers will be able to provide some computers workstations.The Media Centre will serve the needs of print, radio and broadcast journalists covering ICASA 2023. Services provided to registered journalists include computer workstations, Internet connections, ISDN lines, printers and photocopying machines for limited numbers of photocopies. A multi-lingual communications staff will be available to assist journalists with editorial, technical and logistical support. A room will be available for interviews, and a press conference room will be used for the official daily briefing and third-party press conferences.
Opening Hours
Media Centre operations begin on Monday, 4th December, at 15:00PM. The Media Centre is accessible from 8:00am to 16:30pm (from 4th to 9th December, 2023).
Electronic Name Badge
All participants, including media representatives, will receive an official conference name badge. This name badge must be worn at all times during the conference and is not transferable. If, for whatever reason, a participant’s name badge is used by another person in his or her stead, the participant is fully liable for any consequences of this person’s actions. Access to the conference facilities and session rooms will not be granted without a proper name badge. For security reasons, your name badge will be scanned at the entrance to the conference venue.All accredited journalists must check-in at the Media Desk in the Registration Area upon arrival at the convention centre. Please do not report to the Media Centre directly as you will not have access without an official name badge.
The conference name badge can be used as an electronic business card at some exhibition booths and at the entrance to some satellite symposia as a way for delegates to provide their contact details to exhibitors.
Lost name badge and Change of Name
The conference name badge must be worn at all times during the conference. Access to the conference facilities will not be granted without a proper name badge. If an attendee loses, misplaces, or forgets the name badge, a handling fee of USD 60 will be charged for a new name badge. Upon handing out a new name badge, the lost badge will be deactivated and become invalid.
Conference Embargo Policy
In the case of ICASA 2023, as with most scientific/medical conferences, all conference abstracts are released to delegates and media under a strict embargo policy. A detailed breakdown of the embargo variations for different types of abstracts is available below. All regular delegates, presenters and media are asked to respect this policy.
Embargo Breaks for Media Reporters
As well as having access to the materials detailed above, the media is also given prior access to the speakers’ slides. However, access is only granted to media onsite at the conference and the same embargo rules apply, meaning the information in speakers slides cannot be referenced or published before the start of the presentation.Breaking of the embargo policy by a reporter will lead to one or more of the following measures:
Any breach in the embargo by media will be brought to the attention of the Media Embargo Committee. If you have questions, please contact the ICASA 2023 communications team at media@saafrica.org
Access to full Abstracts Text
The posting of full abstract texts to the online Programme-at-a-Glance is now being staggered to reflect the timing of the updated Conference Embargo Policy.
Access to Speaker Slides
Media delegates will also be given full access to speaker’s PowerPoint presentations. The login and password will also be communicated to you in the media centre.
Access to Camera Platforms and Audio Distribution Panels
Reserved space for camera-persons and still photographers is available in Session Room 1 where all plenaries, the opening session and the closing session will take place. The space is at the front of the stage. In the press conference room located in the Media Centre, a camera platform will be available.Space in front of the stage in Session Room 1 and on the camera platform in the press conference room is on a first come, first serve basis only. Audio splitter distribution panels will also be available at these locations.
Restricted Access to Positive Lounge
The Positive Lounge (lounge for persons living with HIV) is off-limits to journalists, except those who are themselves living with HIV, in which case, the person entering the lounge does so as a PLHIV and not as a journalist. We trust that all journalists will respect the privacy of the PLHIV Lounge.Should you wish to interview a person living with HIV, please contact the Information Desk at the Media Centre. We will liaise with various NGOs and the Positive Lounge to set up interviews for you.
PLEASE NOTE! Protection of confidentiality of persons living with HIV
Many conference participants are people living with HIV/AIDS, and for many, their HIV status is unknown in their home countries. For this reason, we impose the following restrictions: In all conference sessions, you may film (video or photograph) the presenter/s of the session. The media may film group shots of the audience but if they film individuals asking questions they must obtain that person’s permission to broadcast/publish this information once the session is over and BEFORE it is broadcast/published. Session chairs may impose further restrictions regarding visual recording at their discretion. It might happen that minors speak at sessions and request anonymity. In this case, they must not be photographed or recorded on video and their real name should not be used.
Access
Access to the Media Centre is reserved for conference-accredited journalists. Should journalists arrange to interview non-media conference delegates, kindly meet the interviewee at the entrance to the Media Centre. Unaccompanied interviewees will not be allowed access to the Media Centre. On completion of the interview, kindly escort guests back to the entrance of the Media Centre.
Photos
Photographic coverage of the conference proceedings will be provided. High-resolution photographs will be available for download on the Online Media Centre of the ICASA 2023 website: (http://icasa2023.saafrica.org)
Videos
Key sessions will be recorded and made available via the Programme-at-a-Glance (PAG).
Third Party Press Releases and Materials
Some tables will be made available for the distribution of press releases and materials produced by third parties (organizations other than the conference itself) in the Media Centre.
Press Conference Room
The Media Centre will be equipped with a press conference room. When not in use by conference organizers, the press conference room will be available for use by third parties (this refers to all parties other than the conference organizers, including presenters, NGOs, international organizations, or agencies, and/or industry representatives).An initial schedule of each day’s press conferences will be provided on the http://icasa2023.saafrica.org website and in your media kit distributed at on-site check in. Updates will be posted at the information office in the Media Centre. Only accredited members of the media and press conference speakers will be allowed to attend press conferences.
Speakers’ Corner
In addition to the Press Conference room, a smaller meeting room, the Speakers’ Corner, is available. The Speakers’ Corner can accommodate up to 20 people and it is ideal for press conferences on very specific topics.45 minutes slots for the Speakers’ Corner (Tuesday 5th December to Saturday 8th December, from 10:30AM to 15:00PM) can be reserved in advance by sending a booking request at media@saafrica.org with the title of your event and date/time of your requested slot, or directly on-site. Bookings will be approved on a first-come first-served basis.
ICASA Organizer Official Press Conferences
An official opening press conference will be held before the conference opening session on Monday,4th December from 17:00 – 18:00, and will feature speakers from the opening ceremony. At 14:15 from Tuesday to Saturday, conference organizers will hold a press conference featuring daily plenary speakers and other key speakers from special sessions.All official press conferences will be in English and French.
Broadcast Facilities
Broadcasters are required to capture their own video and obtain the audio from the sound desks in session rooms and the press conference room.
Electricity
Electricity at the conference venue is between 220 and 240 volts AC. Make sure you go to an electric supplies store and buy an adapter if needed. International adapters will not be available in the Media Centre.
Online Media Centre
During the conference, the Online Media Centre will feature links to videos of sessions and press conferences, photos, presentation slides, speeches and press releases. Access to other information, including conference abstracts, presentation slides, news reports and summaries of scientific sessions, will also be available through the website.
Oral Abstracts
Information about the oral abstracts may not be published or presented before the start of the session at ICASA 2023, in which the abstract is being presented.