We are tired, seriously...

We foresee the problem will become more problematic as the economy sours.

We are talking about fake media, journalists, writers or bloggers, or whatever you want to call them... posing as the bona fide media to get into events — where there will be free food and drink, doorgifts and sometime lucky draw that offers expensive items.

Some of the problems caused by these fake media were:

1. Asking stupid questions during the Q&A session thus prolong an already long-winded event.
2. Reducing space at already crowded event venue.

3. Leaving genuine media (usually the latecomers) with no press kit to take back.

A more serious problems were:

1. Pretending to be a genuine writer to get products for review. When the PR later called up the actual writer to ask about the writeup, of course, both parties were in for a surprise.
2. Pretending to be a real journalist to gain access into events. When the PR called up later to the writer's office to ask when the story is going to be published of course, the writer wouldn't know anything about the event as he didn't cover it.

3. Try to sell books to the CEO or spokepersons at the event afterward.

A super serious problems were:

1.  Stealing doorgifts (more about it later).

2. "Extorting" money from the CEO or spokepersons claiming it to be for upcoming charity or event organise by the media.

How to spot them:

1. Ask any genuine media. We do talk to each other, afterall this is a small industry, and we can immediately point them to you.
2. Never seen before and they will normally dress in full office attire with tie, sometimes.
3. Act self-important or trying very hard to be interested in the products or solutions launched.
4. Claims to work for an online publication or blog, sometimes claim their office is in Singapore -- common lar, when do publications in Singapore sending their people to cover events here?
5. Claims to be a freelancer.
6. Refuse to give namecards -- the normal excuse is ran out of one -- but will gladly do so when there is a lucky draw.
7. On their namecard usually has their name, handphone number and sometimes, just the streetname -- in other word, the whole stretch of the Jalan is their office.
8. The first to queue for the doorgift (when given out only after the event has ended).
9. They will also normally mingle among themselves as if there is a community of fake media.

Instant give-aways: claims to be from an unknown (and unrealistic) publications such as Utusan Seremban, NSM etc.   

Solutions proposed by PRs:

1. One PR said it would be best just to give them the doorgift so that they can be on their way and don't kacau the event.

WE FORESEE a problem with this, a backlash of sort. What if other fakies heard about it and will attend any functions organised by the PR in drove since they know that the doorgift will be given to them just like that with no question asked.

2. Removed their namecards from the lucky draw bowl after they've gone in.

3. Stop them from entering. Most PR said it is only possible at a small event.

4. RSVP invitees only.

Btw, we noticed that they will not be at events held outside the Klang Valley, in places such as Putrajaya, Cyberjaya, Shah Alam, Klang and even at the recent Genting Highlands'. An idea for you guys, but be prepare for a lower media turn up  :)