NZ Newspapers Joing India Cricket Ban

New Zealand newspapers have joined an international boycott over cricket coverage.

This follows a move by India's Board of Cricket Control to refuse accreditation for prominent news agencies for the current home series against England.

The board has not explained its move to restrict photographic coverage and instead provide its own approved images.

The lockout has led international agencies Thomson Reuters, Agence France-Press and Associated Press to suspend reports from the tour as well as pictures.

Major UK newspapers, including London's Telegraph, are also supporting the protest, as is the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.

"The international view is that it is not acceptable to ban reputable media and impose onerous terms on coverage of major events," NZ Newspaper Publishers' Association chief executive Tim Pankhurst said.

"Such impositions are a serious challenge to media freedom.
"Unfortunately they are becoming increasingly common, either to benefit sponsors, sanitise coverage or boost revenues."

He said the country's two main publishers, Fairfax and APN, will support they would support the boycott.

The NPA is a member of the News Media Coalition, a London-based international organization and network opposing controls on legitimate publishing freedoms imposed by organisers of major events of public interest.

ENDS

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