Media News - Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Australian sports restrictions a ‘dangerous erosion’ of press freedom

The Australian Football League's ban on photographers from global and foreign news organisations from its games is a ‘dangerous erosion’ of independent press coverage that could have international implications if other sports bodies adopt the practice, the World Association of Newspapers said in a letter to Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the Australian Football League. WAN and a coalition of international news agencies - Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, Reuters and Getty Images - have protested against the AFL's refusal to provide media accreditation to global and foreign news organisations for any games in the 2007 season. The AFL has announced the creation of its own exclusive agency to provide the media with AFL images. The AFL action is part of a trend by sports organisations to control access and reporting on their events. According to WAN, these restrictions can go far beyond the licensing of broadcast rights and even prevent critical commentary. (World Association of Newspapers )

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