The much-acclaimed Indian Premier League (IPL) is in the media line of fire much before it comes into its existence, as the highly lucrative IPL is leaving no stone unturned to make money out of its venture.
The latest controversy to break out is between IPL administrators and various media organisations due to its stringent media polices regarding the coverage of the tournament. The IPL’s autocratic way to put restriction on the freedom of media by adopting demanding media policies surely leads to media boycott of the much-hyped event
The IPL mainly targets the websites and online-portals of the leading newspapers and news agencies restraining them from carrying exclusive photographs and news of the mega-event, which is nothing new for them, as they have been practicing it for so many years.
The IPL governing body has denied accreditation to websites for the event. It has also restricted web portals’ access to images without prior permission. The IPL authorities mustn’t forget the fact that it is the websites that has extensive global reach and if they prepared to boycott the IPL then it will be a rather any domestic event of any country.
In addition IPL has also asked media organisations to upload all their original photographs on the IPL website within 24 hours, claiming sole copyright over all news photographs clicked by newspapers and agencies during the games.
Reacting on IPL’s stand, the Editors Guild of India and the Sports Journalists Federation of India both wrote critical letters to BCCI chief Sharad Pawar on Friday.
The guild letter that was sent to BCCI and IPL stated, "With deep regret and dismay, we are forced to point out that there are prohibitive conditions in the terms and conditions attached to the form, specifically paras (d) and (e), which deal with conditions of accreditation for print media and photographers. These are unprecedented and unacceptable."
The SJFI has also expressed “alarm and concern over the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India promoted Indian Premier League (IPL) to impose stringent restrictions on the media vis-à-vis coverage of the forthcoming IPL Twenty20 tournament. This is with specific reference to the clauses pertaining to photography at the venues."
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