I think a sticker or something would do just as good of a job, removable of course.

I think a perfect solution would be to allow for a two-part setup: Part A (which you’ve covered pretty well) would identify the person, verifying that they’re legit press, what mediums and company/ies they’re with and so on. I think you’re missing a Part B, identifying the event or specific access level.

Obviously, this would have to be a second card of sorts. I like the way the local transit company does it with student IDs - front side is the standard student ID card, back side is a big, bright sticker whose colour changes each semester. Drivers can validate the person by looking at the front (So that the pass can’t be passed around) and can verify that they can ride the bus by checking the back.

I think in this case, we’d want a second card in the same size as the first. This one would probably something printable instead of plastic - it only has to survive a single event - and would have to have a handful of specific features, too. Access level (background colour, maybe), unique number (So that you can tie an access card to a specific person) and allowed dates/times/event (in a big font).

Someone working for the press could then wear a single badge holder around their neck and security can easily verify the person by looking at the front, and their access level by looking at the back (Or vice-versa). Because of a unique number on the person side as well as the access side, it can all be verified at any point, too.

I think you’re really onto something here…