Television news channels today decided to desist from accessing ongoing cricket world cup venues including Mohali and covering press conferences and practice sessions in the wake of ICC barring them from these events for alleged violation of media guidelines.
In a statement, the News Broadcasters Association said they have taken the stand in the view of the "unreasonable" stand taken by the ICC at a crucial juncture of the world cup matches.
"This (ICC decision) almost completely prohibits reporting of news relating to such an important event and which is also in disregard of the fair dealing dispensation available to broadcasters under the Indian Copyright law," Annie Joseph, NBA Secretary General said in a statement.
She said in view of this the NBA Board has decided that its members would stand united and voluntarily desist from accessing match venues or availing any other accreditation benefits like attending press conferences, practice sessions, and interviews.
The statement said NBA members had received notices for last few days from the ICC threatening that their accreditation would be cancelled unless they signed an undertaking as dictated by it which the association considered as extremely restrictive as regard to even legitimate news reporting on the matches.
