Dispute threatens Rugby World Cup coverage

The coalition has reported success in making progress, however. In the run-up to the World Cup, which begins Friday in France, the IRB has now abandoned or reduced a significant number of restrictions that were contained in the terms and conditions that journalists must sign to gain access to the events.

Restrictions

These include:

• An increase in the number of photos that can be published digitally. The IRB had originally imposed a limit on digital publication of five photos per half of a match but has now increased this to 20 photos per half during the match, and no limits after the match ends. The coalition believes that no limits on still photos are necessary even during a match.

• The IRB has removed its requirement that no headlines or captions be superimposed on photos in print publications. This requirement, aimed at preventing sponsors logos from being blocked out, was seen as interfering with the normal editorial process. It is common practice to put headlines and captions on photos.

• The IRB has agreed to allow photos from news media to be sold to the public, has introduced new procedures so that news organisations can challenge its decision to eject journalists suspected of breaching the rules, and has committed itself to establishing a new dialogue with publishers and news agencies through a new rugby-media commission to be established after the World Cup.

But, says WAN, serious restrictions remain in the terms and conditions for covering the events, notably the IRB's insistence that it is still entitled to be given free, world-wide and life-long use of the news media's copyright images. The coalition has offered to give favourable consideration to IRB requests for photos -- which the IRB verbally accepted in a meeting, though it later reversed itself and insisted that the news media be obligated to allow the IRB use of copyrighted photos.

The IRB also maintains “significant and unrealistic restrictions” on the use of audio-visual materials on newspaper web sites, including materials from press conference and non-match day training sessions.

"For months we have attempted to safeguard our desire to brings news of the event to the public through our legitimate editorial operations. We have twice travelled to the IRB's Dublin headquarters in an attempt to ensure that our traditional newspapers and news services are able to carry reports and pictures as and when editors determine and not according to arbitrary IRB rules," said a statement from the coalition, which includes nearly 40 news media organisations.

"These meetings have led to progress in removing some coverage restrictions imposed by the IRB, including their original desire to determine how pictures appeared in our news pages and rules that were seen to limit freedom of expression. However, the IRB has gone back on the some of the outcomes in the most recent Dublin meeting, particularly its refusal to fully recognise news media copyrights."

The IRB has so far refused to re-open negotiations for coverage of the World Cup, which begins Friday, despite the coalition's wish to do so.

Full statement

The coalition's full statement said:

"Talks between the IRB and the coalition seemed to have made progress in removing some restrictions on news coverage but serious issues remain that may have an impact of news coverage of Rugby's World Cup.

"For months we have attempted to safeguard our desire to bring news of the event to the public through our legitimate editorial operations. We have twice travelled to the IRB's Dublin headquarters in an attempt to ensure that our traditional newspapers and news services are able to carry reports and pictures as and when editors determine and not according to arbitrary IRB rules.

"These meetings have led to progress in removing some coverage restrictions imposed by the IRB, including their original desire to determine how pictures appeared on our news pages and rules that were seen to limit freedom of expression.

"However, the IRB has gone back on some other outcomes of the most recent Dublin meeting, particularly in its refusal to fully recognise news media copyrights.

"In addition, the IRB said its greatest concern was that photographic stills on the web might be used for quasi-broadcast and news media organisations had sought to reassure them on that front. However, the IRB insists on arbitrary quotas for stills on websites during a game, although now at a higher level than originally imposed.

"Editors must be free to adapt to changes in public habits in consuming the news and this has been recognised by the FIFA and the International Olympic Committee amongst other forward-looking organisations. In addition to the public, sponsors too benefit from a free flow of news and we sympathise with those Rugby World Cup sponsors which have expressed their own concern that they might be caught up in a backlash with valuable exposure of their brands reduced.

"The news media organisations are dismayed that the IRB still wants to impose quotas on the number of pictures which can be shown on newspaper websites during the games while the world is able to see, hear and read about the matches as they unfold via television and other media.

"We represent nearly 40 news media organisations from around the world which routinely and daily cover rugby at all levels to the benefit of the game and its partners. The value we give in such coverage until now has never been questioned.

"At a time when the IRB is trying to present itself as a big player on the world stage, seeking Olympic recognition and trying to promote itself and sponsors in new areas, we urge the IRB look to the bigger picture and allow the news media to get on with its legitimate social function to tell the news.

"It is regrettable that the IRB has ‘drawn a line in the sand' and refused to work with the news media organisation to resolve outstanding issues."

Coalition

The coalition representing the world's press includes: the World Association of Newspapers; European Publishers Council; European Newspaper Publishers Association; Periodical Publishers Association; Reuters; Associated Press; Agence France-Presse; Newspaper Publishers Association; Newspaper Society; Society of Editors; Fairfax Media, Australia and New Zealand; News Ltd; News International; L'Equipe; Mirror Group; APN/Independent News & Media; New Zealand Newspaper Publishers; Association; New Zealand Press Association; Australian Press Council; dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH; European Pressphoto Agency; Getty Images; World Editors Forum; International Sports Press Association; Sports Journalists Association; Football Writers Association; Optasportsdata; Infostrada; SIC – Sociedade Independente de comunicação, SA; Associated Press Sports Editors; American Society of Newspaper Editors; National Newspapers of Ireland; European Federation of Magazine Publishers; and PressesSports.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, represents 18 000 newspapers; its membership includes 76 national newspaper associations, newspaper companies and individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 12 news agencies and 10 regional and world-wide press groups.