Reporters and photographers chasing attorneys, pounding on witnesses' car windows, and fighting for position are just some of the negative images of the media that linger long after O.J. Simpson was acquitted in his criminal trial.
 Another high-profile event, the Oklahoma City bombing trial, is scheduled to begin in Denver on March 31. It too will attract hundreds of journalists, but this time members of the media are working together, planning orderly and dignified coverage instead of a media circus. And their success will depend largely on cooperation - between the media and the court and, especially, between members of the press.

 Scores of news organizations, both print and broadcast, formed a unique media consortium even before the first pretrial hearing last spring. The perceived need for a single voice - as journalists heard early warnings that the federal court would set strict rules governing press access - drew them together. Members believe it is the most important attempt yet to coordinate news coverage of a single event.

 Broadcasters were united by Steve Grund, director of news operations for Tribune Broadcasting and news director of Denver station KWGN-TV, while the print effort was headed by Joe McGowan, Colorado/Wyoming bureau chief for The Associated Press. The two groups soon became one. "If it works," says McGowan, "I think it will serve as a model."

 The media are now working closely with the federal court, federal marshals, Federal Protective Service, and General Services Administration. They are solving problems involving credentials, technology, and legal issues. They've hired an experienced event-coverage producer to handle some of the more complicated logistics and an attorney to represent the consortium in legal matters. Such assistance is funded by the group; its members are asked to contribute with rates based on media type (television organizations pay the most because they require more technological support). Roger O'Neil, NBC's Denver-based correspondent and co-chair of the consortium, estimates the budget may reach as high as $100,000 before the trial's end.

 The group has made progress: at its request, federal officials have agreed to allow a pool camera near the front door of the courthouse, a rotation system for reporters wanting to attend courtroom proceedings, a "bullpen" area - a press arena in front of the courtyard - and a three-tier credential system. Journalists may apply to the federal court's clerk for separate credentials as needed for the courtroom, press room, and bullpen.
 Because the bullpen limits the press's movement, prosecutors and defense attorneys will be asked to voluntarily approach the area for interviews. If reporters have an exclusive, McGowan says "they can arrange to go to the sides or around the back of the courthouse."

 Some journalists don't find the system so neat, however. "It's nice in theory, if everybody follows the rules," said KCNC-TV's chief photographer, Bob Burke. "But the bullpen is b.s. Cameras make television crews more noticeable. Meanwhile, print reporters can wander around wherever they want to."

 KCNC-TV reporter Rick Sallinger is impressed with the consortium's efforts so far, but wonders how long order will be maintained. "The current number of cameras and reporters is just a small percentage of what we're going to have when the trial begins," he said.
 Despite such concerns, consortium co-chair O'Neil is determined to make sure that everyone follows the rules: "If there is a media person who is acting out of line, I will go to that person's boss and let him know about it."

 Meanwhile, a trend may be developing. Court officials in Sacramento have consulted the consortium for advice on forming the same type of organization for coverage of the Unabomber trial.

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