There's a very confusing story out there about a dispute between FIFA and media outlets. Basically, FIFA is trying to impose strict limits on the number of photographs the media can take of players in World Cup games, and where those pictures may be printed; FIFA wants to forbid the media from posting any pictures on the internet.
The World Association of Newspapers sez...
"Your restrictions on our journalistic coverage of the 2006 World Cup not only deprive our readers and clients of access to important information on a public event, but constitute both an interference in editorial freedom and independence and a clear breach of the right to information as protected by numerous international conventions."
They might as well have added, "Duh!" First off, how on earth can FIFA forbid publication of photographs of a public event. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, WTF??? Why would they even want to do such a thing? I mean, really, who cares if Reuters publish a picture of Wayne Rooney along with their story about the England-Sweden match up on a website. It'll hardly make people not want to watch the game.
The only thing I can think of is that Sepp Blatter wants everyone to go to the official FIFA Yahoo web site for their news, but that seems petty even for FIFA. I'll look around for some sort of official explanation.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
That IS entirely whack! I cannot even imagine the rationale behind the ban - wouldn't more pictures generate more interest?
I like pictures...
Apparently their rationale really is that they think people will not want to watch the televised coverage if they see pictures:
http://www.soccertimes.com/international/2006/feb23.htm
BTW, Michele, if you haven't guessed, FIFA are a terrible managing body for the sport. They couldn't manage flatulence in a Mexican restaurant.
Post a Comment