The German CeBit tradeshow is commonly known for cool devices, sometimes a load of snow and a great press center. Great - for all those who are let in. For most tradeshows, getting in is a matter of proving that you publish something - not so for the CeBit. I have just received my press card for this year’s trade show - please look below for a comparison to last year’s(on the right):

This year’s version states “ONLINE JOURNALIST” right across the Press text - sort of like bloggers are second-class journalists who basically are completely irrelevant to today’s technology world and who are just let in as an act of courtesy from the CeBit media department. Many bloggers have press cards from renowned journalists associations(e.g. yours truly) - but still aren’t worthy of proper treatment in the eyes of the Deutsche Messe AG.

Please keep in mind that this isn’t the first time the Deutsche Messe AG discriminates online mediums(and bearers of press cards not issued by German agencies) - 2000, journalists from really big news sites(e.g. Tom’s Hardware and The Register) were banned from entering the tradeshow). Last year, everything went well - and this year, the bork-ups begin all over again. It feels like a late revenge stunt - hey, we can’t kick you out, but we can still discriminate you by giving you a differently-looking(or stamped) press card.

Dear readers, please help make this public.

Continued here