IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2006-07

news media Advisory Committee

September 22, 2006

The IHSA News Media Advisory Committee met in the IHSA Office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Wednesday, September 20, 2006. The meeting began at 10:00 a.m., committee members present were: Tina Akouris, Sports Writer, Chicago Sun-Times; Ken Roberts, Sports Writer, Post-Dispatch; Dave Kane, Sports Department, Springfield State Journal-Register; John Radtke, Sports Editor, Fox Valley Daily Journal; Lee Hall, Sports Director WEEK TV – Peoria; Rob Dicker, Staff Photo Journalist, Pioneer Press, and IHSA Asst. Executive Director, Anthony Holman.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Policies Regarding News Media Credentials and Working Assignments for IHSA State Series (Policy 34.)
               A.        For Non-State Final Tournaments/Meets:
                        1.         Rules and Regulations for Local Site:
            IHSA rules and regulations concerning the issuance of press credentials, seating locations, parking privileges, photo access, and other regulations concerning the use of equipment by the news media in covering state series competition at all levels. The news media shall be informed of such rules and regulations either by the IHSA Office or by Local Managers. Local Managers are obligated to provide space for working news media personnel at state series competition.
            If members of the news media do not abide by the rules and regulations established by the Local Manager for the IHSA meet/tournament being conducted, their credentials may be rescinded and/or they may jeopardize their opportunity to secure credentials in the future.

New 34. A. 3. (replaces 34. B. 8)
8.         Working Media Guidelines
            Working media/photographers shall be allowed to work the tournament/meet under reasonable conditions as determined by the IHSA in conjunction with the News Media Advisory Committee and the nature of the activity.
            Electronic flash equipment is allowed for game action at outdoor State Finals unless the number of photographers using the equipment interferes with the conduct of the competition. Electronic flash equipment use at indoor State Finals must be approved in advance by the Local Manager. The Local Manager, in conjunction with the IHSA, shall have the authority to require photographers to cease using electronic flash equipment flash equipment because of its interference with the conduct of the competition, or facility lighting is previously deemed adequate.
            Equipment Storage: No equipment other than that which is hand carried by the photographer is allowed on the playing surface or adjacent to it. All carrying cases, computer equipment, photography equipment and/or other that cannot be held by the media representative is not to be on the playing surface or adjacent to it. NOTE: The local manager is asked to work with the photographers and media personnel to provide a secure storage facility.
            Photographer Shooting Zones: The local manager will determine photographer shooting zones for events hosted by the manger’s school/facility. It is the responsibility of the local manager to insure the safety of participants in the event(s) hosted by the manager’s school/facility. The local manager has the responsibility to coordinate the working location(s) for photographers and other media representatives covering the event.

RATIONALE: The editorial change seeks to more clearly outline the guidelines for working media at IHSA State Series Events, specifically photographers.

Approved

1. Policies Regarding News Media Credentials and Working Assignments for IHSA State Series (Policy 34.)

A. For Non-State Final Tournaments/Meets:

                        5.         Issuing Working Press Credentials:
                                    a)         Originating Radio Stations
                                    b)         Originating Television
                                    c)         Internet Exclusive Media
Internet organization requests will be reviewed by the IHSA on a case by case basis. Individual team or school websites, recruiting websites, and websites whose primary intent is to sell photos or video footage will not be considered.

All Other News Media
Acknowledging Credential Requests
Parking

RATIONALE: The addition of Internet Exclusive Media will provide some guidance on how to handle the large number of credential requests from websites. This gives the IHSA some criteria to use, while leaving it broad enough to allow for flexibility.

Approved

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.   Media Packets
      Create Media Packets for each IHSA State Final event to be distributed to media personnel at IHSA State Final Venues. The Packet shall include, but not limited to the following:
a.   General Guidelines for working media (Press Conference, parking, media entry, press room, interview area, awards ceremony procedures, distribution of results, etc.)
b.   Working Media Seating Chart/Area
c.   Photographer Shooting Zone
d.   Information on WiFi service (provide pass codes when necessary)

RATIONALE: While some state final sites were providing this, not all were and the information varied. If the items listed above are included it will be advantageous for the working media covering the event. Some sites may require additional information, but all should have at least the four items recommended.

2. Place Media Information on Sport/Activity Specific Page of IHSA website

RATIONALE: Often times, stringers or photographers receive their assignments just a day or two prior to the event and many of them are not familiar with the Media Center on the IHSA website. However those media personnel covering said event are likely to visit the sport/activity page of the IHSA website for team information, games times, etc. Thus making the sport/activity page a one stop shop for media personnel.

3. Create a listserv for media that will send out an e-mail blast when there is new information posted in the media center.

RATIONALE: The listserv would include more than just the sports editors, it would include any media personnel that signs up. Thus keeping them more informed about IHSA updates, because stringers and photographers especially are not always made aware of the things provided to editors and station directors.

Discussion Items

At each meeting of the advisory committee, there are certain agenda items that the committee discusses, but upon which it takes no action. Following is a report of those on the September 20, 2006 agenda:

1. The elimination of IHSA Courtesy Lines at IHSA State Final events. The committee did not feel like this would be a bad thing, as many are print media personnel are utilizing wireless technology. The committee would like to see the IHSA work with host venues to make their wireless service open or provide pass code information to working media when necessary. The committee also suggests that the IHSA investigate providing wireless routers at those state final venues that are not equipped with WiFi.

2. Discussed the origination broadcast fees since there would no longer be courtesy lines the committee had some conversation on whether the fees should be reduced. It was decided that rights fees should remain the same, but directed staff to monitor any complaints or concerns and report back to the committee in 2007.

3. Discussed the Visual Image Photography (VIP) relationship with the IHSA. The photographers would like to voice there complaint about only having limited access during the awards presentations. They feel that VIP should not be given exclusive access to any shots.

4. The committee would like the IHSA staff to provide more interview space at individual wrestling.

5. The committee would like access to cross country runners following their individual races, prior to the awards ceremony.