These policies are in place to support Duke’s primary mission of research, education, and healthcare. Our goal is for students, faculty and other members of the Duke community to carry out their activities with a reasonable expectation of privacy and normality while remaining free to speak openly with the media if they choose to do so.

Access to Campus

Members of the media must obtain permission in advance to film, report or broadcast live from Duke property. This includes seeking permission in advance from the appropriate office to enter classrooms, medical facilities, offices, laboratories or similar facilities for the purpose of reportage.

  • For university property, contact University Communications.
  • For any hospital or health system properties, contact the Duke Health News Office.
  • For Duke Gardens, contact the Gardens’ communications office.
  • For Duke Athletics, contact Duke Athletics External Relations.

Duke may limit the locations for television broadcasting/live streaming.

  • Live broadcasts in front of Duke Chapel are prohibited except by permission.
  • Media must park in designated areas.
  • Residence halls are closed to news media.
  • Media must obtain permission from University Communications in advance to take exterior still photographs of Duke’s campus for news purposes. University Communications maintains a library of still images and b-roll of campus for media use.
  • Duke reserves the right to deny or limit access to campus, and/or require pool cameras or reporting.

The Duke Health News Office is charged with ensuring that reporting regarding Duke Health is in compliance with HIPAA and other regulations involving patient confidentiality.

Event Coverage

Events that are open to the public are typically open to the news media; however, some campus events may be closed to the media due to space limitations, safety concerns or the preferences of a speaker or event sponsor(s).

  • Media who wish to attend an event organized by an academic unit or university department should contact the event organizer in advance (the event organizer will be listed on a news release and/or the calendar event listing)
  • Media who wish to attend an event organized by students must contact University Communications in advance.
  • Media must comply with any restrictions related to recording; television cameras, still cameras and audio recording equipment may be prohibited from an event or only given limited access if so requested by the speaker or sponsor.
  • Media may be asked to sit/stand in a section reserved for media.
  • K-ville is not open to media except during media events organized by University Communications and Duke Athletics.
  • Media may use event material posted on any public Duke website, so long as it is properly credited.

Exclusives and Fairness

Duke reserves the right to provide exclusive story coverage and release information to specific outlets based on the story, audience and judgment of the communications staff and leadership.  This also applies to op-eds, commentary articles and other features pitched to the news organizations for whose audiences the content will be the most relevant.

Paid Promotion

University representatives will not engage in media relations activities in which external media are provided financial compensation for attending university programs, interviewing university representatives or otherwise covering the university.

  • There are occasions when it is reasonable for the university to provide travel, lodging or meals for reporters visiting the university or attending university events. In those cases, approval should be sought in advance from University Communications.
  • Since many international media organizations are affiliated with foreign governments, any gifts, reimbursements, travel, lodging or meals that are provided to them must be clearned in advance by University Communications to ensure that the university complies with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
  • There should be clear distinctions made between paid advertising and media relations activities intended to generate editorially independent coverage of the university.
  • Paid advertising in support of institutional activities and goals is permissible and is generally managed and budgeted at the unit level.