Media Releases

30 Mar 2010 - Code of Practice for Sports News Reporting

Code of Practice for Sports News Reporting

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Stephen Conroy today welcomed an agreement between media and sports organisations to a voluntary Code of Practice for Sports News Reporting.

The Code of Practice outlines the rights and obligations of sporting and media organisations regarding the provision of access to sporting venues, and the collection and reporting of sports news.

Senator Conroy attended the inaugural Code Administration Committee Meeting this morning, where he congratulated all parties for their involvement and commitment to developing the Code.

"There have been issues between some sporting and media organisations and several media agencies have been unable to gain access to major sporting events for the purpose of reporting the news," Senator Conroy said.

"The Government was concerned that these breakdowns in communication would adversely affect the Australian public's traditional access to news reporting of sporting events."

The Committee nominated Kevan Gosper, former Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee, as its inaugural chair and Mark Hollands, Chief Executive Officer of the Newspaper Association, as the secretary.

"I am delighted that the media and sporting organisations have become parties to a voluntary code on sports news reporting," Mr Gosper said.

"This is very much in the interests of the sports loving public who are entitled to the fullest news and photographic coverage of sport across all technological platforms."

Senator Conroy referred the reporting of sports news to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts which tabled a report on 14 May 2009. He subsequently asked Mr Graeme Samuel, Chair of the ACCC, to hold roundtable meetings with the major media and sporting organisations.

"I congratulate Mr Samuel and the sporting and media organisations for using the roundtable process to develop a voluntary industry code for sports news reporting," Senator Conroy said.

The agreement and signing of the Code will help to ensure the Australian public continues their enjoyment of sports through news reporting without the disruptions that have occurred in the past.

The signing of the new Code is great outcome for the sports and media organisations, and the general public.

Sporting Organisations represented on the initial Committee:
" Australian Football League
" Australian Rugby Union
" Cricket Australia
" National Rugby League
" Tennis Australia.

Media Organisations represented on the initial Committee:
" Fairfax Media
" News Limited
" Australian Associated Press
" Agence-France Presse
" Getty Image.

Date: 30 March 2010
Contact: Suzie Brady 0408 258 457