BCCI proposes bloodthirsty media restrictions and regulations for IPL matches
The Indian Premier League’s (IPL) new set of media guidelines have triggered another controversy. IPL’s regulations prevent media organizations from displaying photographs on their own websites.
That is strange indeed. Formula One racing has some of the most restrictive media regulations, but that pertains mostly to television and video. We think restrictions on publishing photographs on websites are a first.
The new guidelines would enable IPL to use any photographs taken by any media organization free of cost and without restrictions. Now, isn’t that amazing? Also, please do remember that the IPL would never even have started but for the threat from ICL. We think it all sounds a bit to bloodthirsty.
Organisations would have to upload all images taken on the field, to the IPL website within 24 hours. Web portals would need prior permission from IPL to access images posted on its websites.
IPL has posted accreditation forms online, that need to be submitted by April 8, 2008. This allows media companies five days to decide if they want to cover the tournament under these terms or not.
Media organizations feel that the new guidelines would have a big impact on media groups covering the cash-rich tournament. The international news agency, Agence France-Press (AFP), has already expressed concern over the regulations. It says that these terms would prevent them from covering the event.
According to the media and photo agencies, these regulations applied in the initial stages of the event would harm the image of the tournament altogether. Industry players feel that there should be some flexibility towards media organizations at least in the initial stages of the tournament.
IPL authorities have said that they are open to negotiation. Reports say that IPL has sold the portal rights of the tournament to a North American company for US$50 million. However, IPL officials have not disclosed the name of the company.