Commercial Media Policy Clarified

Regarding C.R. McFadden's news story, "Security Removes TV Host From Campus" (Nov. 21): A Crimson reporter's account of a conversation with a staff member in the News Office may have left an incorrect impression about Harvard's policy concerning professional reporters and film crews at the University.

Though it is true that professional reporters, photographers, film makers and video crews must get permission to conduct their business on Harvard's private property, there is no policy that takes away a student's right to give an interview to whomever he or she chooses.

Harvard's current policy on controlling entry to commercial media has been in place since 1983. The policy helps Harvard respond to the volume of media interest and requests for access (approximately 50 informational queries and two to five crew access requests per day) while minimizing disruption of academic life, and helping to preserve the privacy of Harvard's faculty, students and staff. --Joe Wrinn,   Director, Harvard News Office