A standoff between the Indian Premier
League (IPL) and the media seems to be on the cards with the IPL making changes
in its “media accreditation and news access guidelines” that would make it
difficult for news organizations to accept them on several
counts.

The new guidelines have several significant departures from
those of 2008. Most place severe restrictions on TV channels, websites and
magazines, in particular. They also place restrictions depending on the nature
of media ownership, which too are bound to face stiff resistance.

The
guidelines specify that TV news channels can use no more than 30 seconds of
fresh footage from the IPL per bulletin and not more than 120 seconds for a
match. Further, there is a 7-minute limit for a full day. Repeats are allowed no
more than three times a day against the earlier four.

The guidelines
also stipulate a minimum delay of 30 minutes from the live telecast against just
five minutes in 2008. Live telecast means the entire period from the first ball
to post-match ceremonies.

Live streaming on the broadcaster’s own
websites, which was allowed in the 2008 season will no longer be allowed. Nor is
deferred or archived footage allowed to be displayed on the broadcaster’s own or
a third party website.

As for use of archival footage until the next
season, all that is permitted under the new guidelines is a maximum of two clips
of 30 seconds each per day against the earlier two minutes per
day.

One change that could prove really problematic for the media in
the long run is the manner in which the guidelines define “bona fide news
magazine” and “bona fide news media website”. These make it clear that a news
magazine will qualify as such only if its “business solely concerns the
provision of news to the public” and “no part of that magazine’s business
involves the sale, distribution or supply of any goods or services other than
the provision of news to the public.”

Similarly, a website will
qualify for carrying IPL content only if it is “owned (directly and indirectly),
run and managed by an organization whose primary business solely concerns the
provision of news to the public.”

This means life-style or travel
magazines, for instance, are ruled out from carrying IPL content. The guidelines
also place restrictions on the nature of the ownership of media organizations
that are eligible, for reasons that are far from clear.

Accreditation
for IPL season 3 is open till February 21, but don’t be surprised if there is a
showdown between the event organizers and the media before anybody signs
on.