Media and editorial policy
Credentials, coverage guidelines, and support for journalists and scientific editors attending an AGBT meeting.
AGBT welcomes journalists, scientific editors, and other members of the media to attend our meetings, not only to hear the latest research and technology announcements, but also to engage with the scientific community shaping the future of genomics.
New scientific findings are often presented at AGBT for the first time, and our meetings have become synonymous with new technology launches in genomics. We value the role journalists, editors, and science communicators play in sharing these advances with the broader scientific community.
We want to help make your participation possible and productive. Whether you plan to attend, are working on a story, or want to connect with someone in the AGBT community, we encourage you to reach out.
How AGBT can help
Depending on your role, needs, the meeting, and available resources, AGBT may be able to provide:
- Complimentary meeting registration
- Interview coordination with presenters, AGBT leadership, or subject-matter experts
- Background information and assistance identifying relevant experts or stories
- Media materials and meeting resources
- Access to the dedicated media room available at each AGBT meeting
Attendance support is determined individually and must be approved by AGBT in advance. Support provided for one meeting does not guarantee the same level of support for another. Any financial support provided by AGBT is intended to facilitate attendance and does not require or guarantee coverage, publication, or favorable treatment.
Who qualifies
Journalists and media
Media credentials and attendance support may be available to individuals whose primary purpose in attending AGBT is independent editorial coverage, including:
- Reporters, editors, producers, photographers, and videographers working for recognized news organizations or editorial publications
- Freelance journalists with a confirmed assignment or demonstrated record of relevant reporting
- Journalists working for science, technology, medical, agricultural, biotechnology, or genomics-focused publications and news services
- Independent journalists, podcasters, newsletter writers, and other digital content creators with an established record of substantive coverage relevant to AGBT
AGBT may ask for recent work samples, an assignment letter, information about an applicant's publication or platform, or other information needed to evaluate eligibility.
Scientific journal editors
AGBT also welcomes scientific journal editors whose work advances scientific communication and connects them directly with the research community.
Editorial credentials and attendance support may be available to editors from established peer-reviewed scientific, medical, or scholarly journals who are attending to engage with researchers, learn about emerging science, and conduct legitimate editorial activities on behalf of their journal.
This may include Editors-in-Chief, Deputy Editors, Senior Editors, Associate Editors, and other professional scientific editors with substantive editorial responsibilities.
Who does not qualify
Media or editorial credentials are generally not available to individuals whose primary purpose in attending is:
- Public relations, corporate communications, marketing, or advertising
- Sales, sponsorship, or business development
- Investment research, financial analysis, consulting, or competitive intelligence
- Recruiting or talent acquisition
- Commercial representation of a sponsor, exhibitor, vendor, publisher, or other organization
Employment by a media organization, publisher, or content platform does not by itself qualify an individual for media or editorial credentials. AGBT considers the individual's role and primary purpose for attending.
Credentials and attendance support
AGBT reviews credential and attendance-support requests individually based on professional role, purpose for attending, relevance to the AGBT community, meeting capacity, and available resources.
Advance requests are strongly encouraged, as late or on-site requests may not be accommodated. AGBT reserves the right to approve, deny, limit, or revoke credentials or attendance support at its discretion.
Coverage guidelines
Reporting and embargoes
Unless otherwise indicated by AGBT, scientific presentations may be reported and shared beginning at the scheduled start time of the presentation or poster session. Content provided in advance remains subject to any embargo specified by AGBT.
Presenters may identify specific slides, data, or information as not for external sharing. Attendees and media are expected to honor these restrictions and appropriately attribute scientific findings.
Photography, recording, and livestreaming
Unless otherwise indicated, photography and brief video recording of presentations, posters, speakers, and meeting activities are permitted. Please respect any presenter restrictions or requests not to be photographed or recorded.
Full presentation or session recording, livestreaming, or broadcasting requires prior permission from both AGBT and the presenter or presenters.
Social media
AGBT encourages responsible sharing and scientific conversation on social media. Attendees and media may share commentary, photographs, and brief video clips, subject to applicable embargoes and presenter restrictions. Please appropriately attribute scientific content to the presenter or source.
Media room and interview support
A dedicated media room is available at each AGBT meeting, providing credentialed media and scientific editors with workspace, Wi-Fi, and a place to conduct or prepare for interviews.
The AGBT team can also help media personnel navigate the meeting, identify relevant presenters or subject-matter experts, obtain background information, and coordinate interviews.
Professional conduct
Credentialed media and scientific editors are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respect presenters, attendees, meeting staff, embargoes, and AGBT meeting policies.
Media representatives should identify themselves as press when conducting interviews or gathering information in circumstances where their role may not otherwise be apparent.
Violations of AGBT's embargo, photography, recording, or other meeting policies may result in revocation of credentials, removal from the meeting, or denial of credentials at future AGBT events.
Questions
We welcome questions from members of the media before, during, and after AGBT meetings.
Or contact us at media@agbt.org.