Rugby World Cup 2007: International Media Decides to Boycott Rugby World Cup for 24 Hours

International media has decided recently that they will not cover the any news, photos or videos of Rugby world cup 2007 for 24 hours. International media including Agence France-Presse, Reuters, the Associated Press, Getty Pictures and the German agency DPA has taken this action because of their ongoing dispute with International Rugby Board (IRB) over the matter of video transmission during the rugby world cup matches. IRB allows 50 photos for transmission during a match. However, international media claims that one picture can be transmitted in a second. So, international media claims to allow more pictures to be transmitted during a world cup match.

AFP reported:
"Fundamental rights are at stake, there is no question of letting them be flouted in the name of the protection of the financial interests of the IRB," said AFP chairman Pierre Louette.
"Amid growing confusion and uncertainty over reporting terms, and the IRB's unwillingness to engage with us to resolve the dispute over accreditation terms, Reuters is unable to continue coverage as planned."
World Cup chairman Mike Miller told a press conference Wednesday: "We think our rules are fair to everyone, to those who pay for the privilege to buy certain rights which helps us reinvest in the game, and also to those who get to come along without paying any rights fees."

Yes, now it seems that the dispute is going be severe ahead of the Rugby world cup 2007. To tell the truth, because of this dispute the rugby world cup will have a negative impact. So, I hope, IRB will take necessary steps to dissolve the dispute with the international media.