ICC World Cup Final: ICC allows News Channels to enter the stadium

Intervention of I&B Minister Ambika Soni works again; ICC succumbs to the FINAL pressure.

Rajat Arora | Delhi | April 1, 2011

Finally, ICC succumbs to the FINAL pressure from the Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and non-rights-holder News Channels and allows them to enter the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to cover the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals match between India and Sri Lanka on April 2, 2011, Saturday.

According to an official communiqué by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) just now, “NBA notes that the ICC has seen reasons and understood the true nature of the ICC CWC 2011 India - Sri Lanka final matches and restored accreditation to our Member Channels. This is in large measure due to the constructive intervention of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, including the personal interest shown by Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, who has truly appreciated the sensitivities and rights of the Indian viewers.”

However, NBA rejects the ICC's position that our Members had violated any Guidelines agreed with ICC; especially since, NBA Members have scrupulously adhered to the NBA News Access Guidelines and the dispensation available to them under Indian laws, which clearly must prevail over ICC's unilateral actions. NBA Members have acted in consonance with the invariable practices followed in the past (including for ICC events), in the face of ICC's attempt to deviate from standard accepted business practices prevalent in India.

NBA Members are responsible broadcasters and are conscious of the rights and obligations of the parties, including those of the ICC, broadcasters and the Indian public.

By restoring accreditation ICC has also recognized that it must subject itself to the prevalent laws governing 'fair use' in the host country.

The Members of the NBA will continue to strive to bring to their large number of viewers a most enjoyable coverage of the event which has always been the principle driving force of the news broadcasters.

Rajat.Arora@BestMediaInfo.com

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