Cricket

Reuters suspends test series’ coverage

International news agency Reuters has suspended coverage of Australia’s series in India as a result of what it has called “unacceptable” conditions imposed by the Indian board.

“The terms that journalists must sign before being given match accreditation include a bar on distributing photographs to cricket website portals which Reuters say is unacceptable,” a statement on the company’s website said. “Behind the dispute lies growing media concern that sporting bodies’ increasing determination to maximise commercial benefit from their events is restricting press freedom to cover them and distribute their images and news as they see fit.”

It continued that it would also refuse to cover matches in Australia unless Cricket Australia relaxed accreditation terms for games there, echoing a dispute that led to a partial blackout of the Brisbane Test in 2007-08. Other agencies are believed to be taking a similar stance with CA.

In India, Agence France Presse (AFP) said it was covering the series for the moment. “We are taking it day by day,” Giles Hewitt, the agency’s Delhi bureau chief, said. “As of now we are covering the first Test, and have been in touch with the BCCI.”

Tags: AFP, bcci, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008, CA, Reuters