Update:

The $200 WiFi that reporters have to use is not working:

Hofstra University's wifi for thousands of journalists has been down for last 45 mins at #debates. A Hofstra hot mess. — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) September 26, 2016

@kylegriffin1 Somebody tell him that the $200 press wifi is reportedly down. — Brandon Tucker (@BrandonTucker) September 26, 2016

So the $200 per person WiFi in the media room is down ¯_(ツ)_/¯ #Debates2016 — Ryan Beckler (@RyanBeckler) September 26, 2016

It seems wifi is down inside AND outside Hofstra. For miles. What a #DumpsterFireNight, and the debate hasn't even started. — Our Revolution! (@OurRevolution2) September 26, 2016

LOL.

Original post:

Members of the media are outraged right now over phone cops (that’s a “WKRP in Cincinnati” reference) patrolling press row for reporters who are using their own wi-fi hotspots instead of the mandated $200 fore wireless access from Hofstra:

There was just an announcement in the debate filing center that personal wifi dongles are prohibited, instead you must buy their $200 wifi — Jim Newell (@jim_newell) September 26, 2016

Technicians patrolling #debatenight press file using this device to detect & shut down hotspots, so they can sell $200 wifi accounts instead pic.twitter.com/JzbkzlZR1g — Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) September 26, 2016

Electricity and ethernet connections cost extra, too:

Dear god. @RyanBeckler just sent me this from Hofstra. They're charging $200 for media WiFi access. pic.twitter.com/VSagT6ZerF — (((Steph Haberman))) (@StephLauren) September 26, 2016

Reporters who refuse are having their credentials pulled:

Douchey, but suppose legal if they make it a choice of "pay or leave." Jamming definitely illegal under FCC Act of 1934. https://t.co/T0MtRqmlAX — Jim Swift (@JSwiftTWS) September 26, 2016

That's how they frame it: you can keep using hotspot or you can keep your #debatenight credentials.

If you chose the latter, you get tossed. https://t.co/6WZKnZVPPB — Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) September 26, 2016

If you like your WiFi, you can keep your WiFi … but get the hell out?

Some reporters have found a way around the cost through bribery:

Wifi access in the secret service media area is $200. Some reporters resorted to bribing students. #Debates2016 https://t.co/8FUlAMzY4T — Long Island Patch (@longislandpatch) September 26, 2016

While others are begging for money:

we're fundraising at KPR this week: do @tamarakeithNPR @sarahmccammon @NPRrelving need us to pass the hat for $200 for the wifi at Hofstra? — Laura Lorson (@prairielaura) September 26, 2016

And now for the WKRP clip…

Phone cops, man … they play hardball:

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