Should IPL rules be changed?
A standoff
between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the media seems to be on the cards
with the IPL making changes in its "media accreditation and news
access guidelines" that would make it difficult for news organizations to
accept them on several counts.
The new guidelines have several significant
departures from those of 2008. Most place severe restrictions on TV channels,
websites and magazines, in particular. They also place restrictions depending
on the nature of media ownership, which too are bound to face stiff resistance.
The guidelines specify that TV news channels can
use no more than 30 seconds of fresh footage from the IPL per bulletin and not
more than 120 seconds for a match. Further, there is a 7-minute limit for a
full day. Repeats are allowed no more than three times a day against the
earlier four.
The guidelines also stipulate a minimum delay of
30 minutes from the live telecast against just five minutes in 2008. Live
telecast means the entire period from the first ball to post-match ceremonies.
Live streaming on the broadcaster's own websites,
which was allowed in the 2008 season will no longer be allowed. Nor is deferred
or archived footage allowed to be displayed on the broadcaster's own or a third
party website.
As for use of archival footage until the next
season, all that is permitted under the new guidelines is a maximum of two
clips of 30 seconds each per day against the earlier two minutes per day.
Similarly, a website will qualify for carrying IPL
content only if it is "owned (directly and indirectly), run and managed by
an organization whose primary business solely concerns the provision of news to
the public."
This means life-style or travel magazines, for
instance, are ruled out from carrying IPL content. The guidelines also place
restrictions on the nature of the ownership of media organizations that are
eligible, for reasons that are far from clear.
Accreditation for IPL season 3 is open till
February 21, but don't be surprised if there is a showdown between the event
organizers and the media before anybody signs on.
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