What is an identity-verifiable e-mail address?

Trying to register? Here's how to make us accept your e-mail address...

Media UK's discussion area only accepts real names, and registration via 'identity-verifiable' e-mail addresses.

We insist on real names. Examples of non-real names are publication names, "BillyG", or "BillGates8276". We will not accept registrations from non real-names.

We insist on 'identity-verifiable' e-mail addresses to show that you are who you're claiming to be. This is to protect you, since it means that nobody else can come on to Media UK and pretend to be you. It differs from what most websites call 'verifiable e-mail addresses' which are purely designed to check that you have access to your e-mail... an 'identity-verifiable' e-mail address both checks that you have access to your e-mail, but also are who you say you are.

Examples

joe.bloggs@bbc.co.uk; joe.bloggs@royalmail.com
These are identity-verifiable. It is clearly your place of work. You are clearly Joe Bloggs.

joe.bloggs@hotmail.com; joe.bloggs@talk21.com
These aren't identity-verifiable. Anyone can claim a webmail account.

joe.bloggs@btinternet.com; joe.bloggs@aol.com
These aren't identity-verifiable. Anyone can claim a second username or address from ISPs.

joe.bloggs@joebloggs.co.uk; joe@joebloggs.com
These may be verifiable: we have a number of tests that we can run on a domain-name.

Not got an identity-verifiable address?

If you are a freelancer or have no 'identity-verifiable' addresses, then you may gain entry by asking a Media UK member, who you know well, to vouch for your character. They need to contact us and give your full name, your email address, and a short description of why you should gain access. We'll then give you a mediauk.net address, from which you can register.

Prefer to use your own personal email address?

That's fine: but you'll need to register using an identity-verifiable address. Once you've done so, you can change quickly and automatically to your own personal address, whether it's Hotmail, Gmail, or anything else.

Media UK strives to ensure that our discussion areas are of a high quality. We'd like as many people as possible to gain access to our discussion area, and to edit The Knowledge. We appreciate that it is difficult for some to sign up to see Media UK's discussion areas, and we regret that we have had to put this system in place. Should you have any thoughts on this policy, which has been in place for over two years without incident, you are welcome to make a posting in our feedback section; however, we are unable to enter into discussions via email. Abusive emails will, naturally, be deleted, and may be reported to your ISP, employer, or the police.