Eligibility Guidelines for Embargoed PIO Access on EurekAlert!
EurekAlert! facilitates embargoed access of pre-publication scientific research information in an effort to ensure fair and equitable access among reporters worldwide and to offer working journalists additional lead time to prepare in-depth and accurate original reporting.
In compliance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations,** public information officers (PIOs) are granted access only to embargoed content pertaining to their own institutions for the purpose of preparing press materials and for embargoed outreach where permitted. Applicants with conflicting dual affiliations,** including, but not limited to, researcher, scientist, financial analyst, lobbyist, or other conflicting roles are not eligible for embargoed access to EurekAlert!.
EurekAlert! reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decline registration to applicants who have, or appear to have, conflicts of interests, or who work for entities that have, or appear to have, conflicting industry or business-related affiliations, or a substantial commercial purpose other than the public dissemination of news.
PIOs may be eligible for registration if they meet the following criteria:
- must be involved in planning and/or implementing media or public relations on behalf of a university, research institution, peer-reviewed journal publisher, government agency, corporation, or public relations firm***
- must be on staff or contracted primarily in a public relations role at an eligible organization
- must be able to confirm professional status either by being listed as a media contact on published news releases, listed on an organization's media relations staff directory, or verified by a supervisor or manager
- interns working in public relations offices may apply with a confirmation letter from a supervisor stating the internship end date
- applicants who hold ineligible dual affiliations (researcher, scientist, financial analyst, lobbyist, etc.) who may also act as a press officer are not eligible
- some titles held by PIOs include, for example: Press Officer, Communications Manager, Public Affairs Officer, Media Specialist
**Dual Affiliations and the Securities Exchange Act
The mishandling of embargoed (or "nonpublic") information can present legal issues as regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, among many provisions, prohibits the disclosure of nonpublic information in a way that improperly influences the trading of securities. In adherence to the interpretations of the Act by our advisors, EurekAlert! exercises due diligence to ensure access to embargoed information is made available only to professional journalists without ineligible affiliations, and who have a demonstrated need for such information. For more information, see Selective Disclosure and Insider Trading. (https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/33-7881.htm)
*** Registrants from public relations firms may only be eligible if representing an eligible organization and posting news releases on their behalf. Public relations firms are required to use the pay-per-use subscription option.