Media Organizations Ask ICC To Intervene In Dispute Over Test Series Restrictions

Media organizations have called on the International Cricket Council to intervene in a dispute over media coverage restrictions of the Test series between India and England, saying the row is "damaging the game," according to the AFP. The News Media Coalition, writing on behalf of a group of news agencies, newspapers and publishers, urged the ICC to "use its influence and global standing'' to persuade the Board of Control for Cricket in India to lift restrictions that have triggered a text and photo blackout of the series. Media outlets including AFP, Reuters and the AP have all suspended text and photo coverage of the four Test series due to the BCCI's decision to ban photo counterparts such as Getty Images and Action Images. English newspapers have also "refused to publish live pictures" either in their online or print editions, instead "running file images or even spoof cartoons" (AFP, 11/21).