Johannesburg – South African editors have endorsed an intended media protest against Indian cricket's ban on a United States photo agency.
The SA National Editors' Forum (Sanef) said on Thursday it supported editors, publishers and broadcasters on the issue.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refused customary accreditation to photo agency Getty Images for the upcoming Australian cricket tour of India.
“Sanef regards the BCCI's conduct as a serious breach of the customary arrangements for media coverage of sporting events, an unacceptable restriction on press freedom, and as having the potential to do serious harm to the game of cricket.”
The photo agency provides images to major Australian publishers.
Sanef said Australian publishers planned to boycott live pictures of video “grabs” of the games of the tour that started on February 22.
Sanef said the protest was a similar to one by publishers in England when the BCCI introduced a ban on photo agencies during the recent English cricket tour of India.
“British newspapers and their websites carried no live pictures of video 'grabs' of the games. Australian publishers plan to institute a similar boycott when the tour starts.”
Sanef called on the International Cricket Council to intervene, and called on the London-based News Media Coalition to support Australia's stance.
The News Media Coalition is associated with warding off attempts by sporting bodies to impose unacceptable conditions for media accreditation at sporting events. – Sapa