Major news agencies could boycott the series between India and England
in protest at restrictions imposed upon journalists by the BCCI.
The News Media Coalition (NMC), which campaigns for media freedom around
the world and represents a large number of media organisations, has
issued a statement saying it "deplored" a decision by the India board to
bar photo agencies such as Getty Images and Action Images. The BCCI
have said they will supply their own images of the series, which starts
with the first Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday, to be downloaded from
their website.
"The NMC, an international organisation which defends the ability of the
press to inform the public with independent news material, has urged
the BCCI to withdraw the policy which will hit media coverage, fans and
the sponsors involved with teams," a NMC statement read. "Getty Images
and Action Images and Indian photographic agencies have been barred by
the BCCI for this latest cricket series."
Agence France-Presse (AFP) announced they would suspend text and photo
coverage unless the matter could be resolved ahead of the series. AFP
stated that it "strongly believes the right of the media to cover news
events without undue restrictions should be protected", adding it hoped
"the BCCI will lift its policy so news media and fans can continue to
get independent coverage".
Reuters and the Associated Press also said they may be forced to suspend
coverage. Other news organisations are considering their positions,
fearing that the BCCI's policy may set a precedent.
"The BCCI has offered to make its own photographs available but this is
no substitute for independent and objective press photography," Andrew
Moger, executive director of NMC, said. "Despite numerous opportunities,
the BCCI has yet to explain why it is discriminating against
photographic agencies or indeed whether other news sectors will be
targeted. We deplore this move and insult to organisations which have
supported cricket worldwide."
BCCI media manager Devendra Prabhudesai said the board was not seeking
to bar news agencies. "The BCCI has a policy not to accredit photo
syndication services like Getty Images and other similar foreign and
domestic agencies," he told AFP. "We have no such problems with AFP, AP
or Reuters since their text and photo service is for editorial use only.
We have already explained our stand to the News Media Coalition."
The episode is the latest dispute between the BCCI and media
organisations in the run-up to the series. Sky TV, which owns the
television rights for the tour in the UK, decided not to send its team
of commentators to India after the BCCI demanded £500,000 for hosting them in the grounds. Sky refused to pay and will instead commentate from a live television feed in London.
The BBC, which owns the rights for audio coverage in the UK, was also asked for an extra £50,000 but reached an agreement with the BCCI.
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