NEW DELHI: A day after TOI reported
about the possibility of a standoff between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and
the media due to changes in media accreditation and news access guidelines,
which place severe restrictions on TV channels, websites and magazines, the News
Broadcasters Association (NBA) said it was indeed a matter of concern and needed
to be thrashed out with the IPL.

“What TOI has reported is exactly
the situation. IPL rules have moved away from 2008. We need to talk to them and
I have sought an appointment with IPL,” Annie Joseph, NBA secretary general said
on Tuesday.

Rajat Sharma, chairman, India TV came up with a strong
response to the proposed changes.

“IPL’s changes in news guidelines
are absurd. It is a news event in public domain. Media has the responsibility
and right to report on an event of this nature. If IPL takes an arbitrary
decision to restrict media access, media should boycott it. If IPL organizers do
not need us, we should say bye to them,” Sharma said on
Tuesday.

Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, CNN-IBN also said that
the issue needs to be discussed with IPL. “NBA is taking it up with IPL,” he
said.

Accreditation for IPL season 3 is open till February 21.