IHSA

IHSA Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - 2007-08

news media Advisory Committee

The IHSA News Media Advisory Committee met in the IHSA Office in Bloomington, Illinois, on Thursday, September 20, 2007. The meeting began at 10:00 a.m., committee members present were: Bob Sakamoto, Sports Writer, Chicago Tribune; Ken Roberts, Sports Writer, Post-Dispatch; Dave Kane, Sports Department, Springfield State Journal-Register; John Radtke, Fox Valley Sports Editor; Lee Hall, Sports Director WEEK TV – Peoria; Rob Dicker, Staff Photo journalist, Pioneer Press, and IHSA Asst. Executive Director, Anthony Holman.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

News Media/Spectator Photography Policy (33.)

Authorized news media representatives, who have contacted schools in advance and identified themselves to the host school principal (or designee), may be permitted to use electronic lighting equipment throughout the course of a given activity. Such electronic lighting can either be: 1) strobe lights mounted to fixed positions and/or 2) electronic attachments mounted on a camera. The host school should make coaches and game officials aware when permission has been granted for photographers to use electronic lighting.

Rationale: This gives clearer directions and protocols to the photographers and host schools on how to handle the issue of using electronic lighting.

Approved

Television Policy (37.)

Add Internet/Web casters to this policy. Insert following over the air stations, apply the same requirements and fee structures as those affiliated with television.

Rationale: With increased web casting requests, and internet streaming opportunities, it is logical to have a policy in place that addresses the new media outlets.

Approved

ADMINISTRATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Change the start times for the Boys & Girls Basketball State Finals to the following:
                        Friday                                                               Saturday
Game#1:           12:00 p.m.                                 Consolation:      12:00 p.m.
Game#2:           2:00 p.m.                                 Championship:   2:00 p.m.
Game#3:           5:30 p.m.                                 Consolation:      5:30 p.m.
Game#4:           8:00 p.m.                                 Championship:   8:00 p.m.

RATIONALE: With the arrival of four classes for basketball the need for teams to play two games on Saturday has been eliminated, thus eliminating the need to allow for additional time between sessions for players to rest. This schedule will allow for the most complete and accurate media reporting of the BIGGEST games of the year. This time schedule will allow for those filing stories with deadlines (usually between 9:30 – 10:00 p.m.) to give the most up to date and complete coverage possible. It will also likely increase the coverage as reporters will have more time to recognize the coaches, players, and teams participating.

NOTE: The committee would like to see this recommendation considered and enacted for the 2008 Basketball Season.

2. Add language in the Baseball & Softball T&C’s that addresses shooting zones for photographers covering the games.
“When deadball shooting zones are not available, provisions should be made for photographers to stand in the dugouts.”

RATIONALE: The Baseball and Softball rule books allow for deadball photo shooting zones, however most high school fields are not equipped with such zones. This recommendation more clearly outlines what accommodations should be made for photographers in places where shooting zones are not available. These photographers would still need to follow the direction of Policy 33 and make arrangements in advance with the host school.

3. The committee would like to see additional interview areas made available at individual wrestling. Perhaps a spot just above the participants seating area in one of the entry ways or on the concourse would relieve some of the overcrowding in the current interview area adjacent to the mats.

RATIONALE: The area that is now designated as the interview area is somewhat restrictive and is not conducive to conducting interviews with the large number of athletes and media at the event.

4. Create a photo pass for full-time employees of recognized media outlets to replace the current general media passes that are being distributed.

RATIONALE: A pass with a photo would assist in efforts to increase security, as only the person identified on the photo will be granted access. This would put more responsibility on the recognized media outlets to insure that their employee information in the media directory is updated. This would allow the IHSA to decrease the number of passes presently being produced, as the passes will only go to those full-time editors, reporters and photographers, it will be the responsibility of the recognized media outlet to make arrangements for stringers and freelancers. The IHSA would not have to print these passes annually, as the photo passes could be good for up to five years.

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 during the September 20, 2007 meeting:

The committee would like the IHSA staff to consider recommendations on designated shooting zones provided by photographers.

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.

The committee added the following criteria for IHSA staff to consider when web only outlets request credentials:
Original content
# of Daily Visitors
Can not be exclusive message boards/blogs/chat rooms
How many schools do they cover

The committee suggested that sending direct e-mails or making personal phone calls is the best way to coverage for special events or programs.
The ongoing effort of the IHSA to shutdown those websites that are selling photos from IHSA state final events. Committee members were given a copy of the position paper drafted by the IHSA and legal counsel on the issue of photography rights.