News

News agencies to extend boycott

The world's top three global news agencies are set to continue their boycott of Australian cricket coverage through the Hobart Test, which begins on Friday

Cricinfo staff
14-Nov-2007
The world's top three global news agencies are set to continue their boycott of Australian cricket coverage through the Hobart Test, which begins on Friday. Agence France-Presse, Reuters and Associated Press did not cover the first Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Brisbane due to a dispute with Cricket Australia.
Reuters reported that there had been a breakdown in negotiations, which would mean a likely continuation of the standoff during the second Test. Although progress has been made on some issues, the agencies' right to distribute photographs freely is still a sticking point.
"Reuters remains adamant on its right to distribute sports news pictures freely," Monique Villa, the managing director of Reuters Media, told Reuters. "I met with Cricket Australia last Sunday in London and nothing has really changed. They want to control our news and who can receive it, which is totally unacceptable."
Cricket Australia's spokesman Peter Young said the negotiations were complex but he was hopeful of a quick resolution. "The good news is that the agencies are talking to us again," he said. "We were very disappointed when they wouldn't come back to the table."
Young also denied that the Australian board was being greedy, an allegation that has been levelled against it by some Australian politicians and trade union leaders. "That is definitely not the case. There are a number of issues here that don't just relate to cricket but to all sports," Young said. "The world is changing and if people want to sit down and look at the issues instead of the lurid newspaper headlines then I think they'll see that this really is a complex issue."
The Australian stand has already found some support, with the Indian board saying they might impose similar restrictions on the media for their home games.