AP Unhappy with BCCI Restrictions

The Associated Press (AP) may be forced to suspend text and photo coverage of England’s cricket tour of India because of new restrictions introduced by the Board of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI).

The BCCI said it would prevent photo-only agencies from covering games and limit the number of its own photographs available to media. International photo-only agencies, as well as some similar Indian companies, have been refused accreditation for the England tour.

Other international news organisations are considering suspending coverage.

The first of four Test matches is scheduled to start in Ahmedabad on Thursday, when the new BCCI conditions are being introduced.

Lou Ferrara, AP’s Managing Editor for Sports, said”: “We are surprised at these terms for photo agencies and remain hopeful that they will be lifted. AP wants to provide cricket coverage to the world and it is only in the best interest of the organisers to allow that to happen for all news outlets, especially in this rapidly changing media landscape.”

AP is working with the News Media Coalition to try to find a solution.{jcomments on}