jama
Mar 30th 2007, 09:54 AM
RTNDA Applauds NFL Decision to
Broaden Local Television Sidelines Coverage
WASHINGTON-- The Radio-Television News Directors Association welcomes a decision by the National Football League to broaden access to game coverage by local television stations. During league meetings earlier this week, team owners agreed to change a 2006 rule banning local station video cameras from the sidelines during games.
The new rules will allow up to 10 video crews, five from the local market of each competing team, to cover games from the field. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told RTNDA that participating stations would be expected to provide pool coverage and that details would be worked out between teams and local stations that cover them.
"This change represents a major improvement over last season's restrictions," RTNDA president Barbara Cochran says. "Now local television stations will be in a better position to provide fans with excellent game coverage."
When the sideline restrictions were adopted in March 2006, Cochran sent NFL leaders a letter explaining how the ban harms the local stations’ ability to serve the public and has the potential to damage the bonds between the NFL franchise and the community. The 2006 restrictions did not apply to still photographers. Cochran urged the NFL to withdraw the ban on the grounds that it discriminated against television journalists and impeded the media’s right to gather and disseminate public information. During the 2006 season, teams permitted local stations to put one pool crew per team at each game. Throughout the past year, RTNDA has worked with local stations to reverse the ban.
Legislation that would assure access to games in publicly funded stadiums has been introduced in state legislatures in Michigan, Missouri and Arizona.
RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.
Broaden Local Television Sidelines Coverage
WASHINGTON-- The Radio-Television News Directors Association welcomes a decision by the National Football League to broaden access to game coverage by local television stations. During league meetings earlier this week, team owners agreed to change a 2006 rule banning local station video cameras from the sidelines during games.
The new rules will allow up to 10 video crews, five from the local market of each competing team, to cover games from the field. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told RTNDA that participating stations would be expected to provide pool coverage and that details would be worked out between teams and local stations that cover them.
"This change represents a major improvement over last season's restrictions," RTNDA president Barbara Cochran says. "Now local television stations will be in a better position to provide fans with excellent game coverage."
When the sideline restrictions were adopted in March 2006, Cochran sent NFL leaders a letter explaining how the ban harms the local stations’ ability to serve the public and has the potential to damage the bonds between the NFL franchise and the community. The 2006 restrictions did not apply to still photographers. Cochran urged the NFL to withdraw the ban on the grounds that it discriminated against television journalists and impeded the media’s right to gather and disseminate public information. During the 2006 season, teams permitted local stations to put one pool crew per team at each game. Throughout the past year, RTNDA has worked with local stations to reverse the ban.
Legislation that would assure access to games in publicly funded stadiums has been introduced in state legislatures in Michigan, Missouri and Arizona.
RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news executives in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.