Courtesies to the Media Journalists welcome coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks in the newsroom. The media should not be asked to pay registration fees for conferences or symposia, especially if any public funds support the event.
Media represent the public interest in such cases.
However, media normally expect to pay hotel and travel costs and other fees for special events. You may want to offer complimentary media tickets for seats at banquets and luncheons with featured speakers, but understand that some media organizations do not allow accepting such freebies. You need not make such offers if it strains the budget. Feel free to invite science writers to receptions and other social events. Journalists enjoy and appreciate opportunities to meet and make friends and professional contacts at such functions.