SYDNEY, September 16, 2011: The Newspaper Publishers’ Association believes coverage of the Rugby World Cup in leading Australian newspapers has not been diminished by the journalists’ refusal to sign media accreditation documents. Even though reporters of Fairfax Media and News Ltd are not filing from the games in New Zealand, they have achieved world-class coverage in print and on digital platforms.
The press box boycott by journalists stems from a row over restrictions demanded by the tournament organiser, the International Rugby Board (IRB), over the posting of match highlights. Newspaper publishers refused to be restricted to a 90sec limit and would not agree to pull-down highlights after 48 hours, or block video to users outside Australia, an action known as geo-blocking.
