By NNN-PTI,
New Delhi : Hours before the launch of Indian Premier League, top international news agencies have announced their decision to boycott the much-hyped multi-million dollar Twenty20 competition due to restrictions on distribution of photographs to cricket-specific websites.
Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press and Reuters will not cover the competition till the term is “sorted out”.
The AFP and Reuters have issued advisories to their subscribers, saying no text would be provided on the IPL till their demands were agreed to.
“AFP will not, until further notice, offer any text, photo or graphics coverage of the inaugural Indian Premier League cricket, beginning Friday, due to restrictions imposed on international news agencies on the distribution of photographs,” the AFP advisory said.
Reuters also made it clear to its clients that the agency would be “unable to cover” the event due to restrictions on photographs.
The IPL terms and conditions prohibit news agencies from supplying photographs to cricket-specific websites for the eight-team club tournament.
Meanwhile, IPL Chairman Lalit Modi said the issue with news broadcasters was resolved and television channels would telecast all the 59 matches played over 44 days.
“I am glad that the issues relating to footage and accreditation for News and Current Affairs Broadcasters, have been resolved amicably,” News Broadcasting Association quoted Modi as saying in a statement issued today.
NDTV Group CEO Narayan Rao said “We look to the action now on the cricket field during the 44 days of the League”.