IND vs SL Series: New Media Guidelines? – The BCCI is considering imposing new restrictions on media and journalists from approaching players directly after the Wriddhiman Saha episode. After Saha revealed threatening messages from an eminent journalist for not giving him an interview, the wicketkeeper-batsman posted screenshots of that on Twitter. While BCCI has asked Saha for his name, the board is preparing a draft for media. Follow India vs Sri Lanka Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
The new media guidelines will include no direct access to players. Instead, for all centrally contracted players, the media will have to go through BCCI’s media manager for any interview request even if they are not in the team or sidelined with injuries. They will be only allowed to speak to the media on public functions.
IND vs SL Series: Unhappy BCCI mulls ‘new media GUIDELINES’ after Wriddhiman Saha episode ahead of Sri Lanka series
“What happened should have never happened. We respect journalists and understand that at times, they are also under pressure for interviews. But nobody should take their connections for granted. We are considering fresh guidelines for media on interacting with centrally contracted players as it is not possible to block access to every cricketer,” a top BCCI official told InsideSport.IN.
IND vs SL Series: BCCI’s new media guidelines
- NO contacts with centrally contracted players.
- All communication MUST go through BCCI’s media managers.
- The same guidelines will be applicable for U-19 cricketers.
- Players will be only allowed to speak to the media in presence of a media manager at a press-conferences or any public forum after clearance from the BCCI.
- If any player is found speaking to the media without BCCI’s knowledge could be fined or suspended.
- For any journalists speaking to media without BCCI’s knowledge could lead to being blacklisted for a minimum period of one year.
After all of my contributions to Indian cricket..this is what I face from a so called “Respected” journalist! This is where the journalism has gone. pic.twitter.com/woVyq1sOZX
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) February 19, 2022
IND vs SL Series: Unhappy BCCI mulls ‘new media GUIDELINES’ after Wriddhiman Saha episode ahead of Sri Lanka series
It should be noted that following Hardik Pandya’s controversial remarks on Koffee with Karan show in 2019, BCCI suspended KL Rahul and the Jr Pandya briefly. It also barred players from attending such TV shows.
IND vs SL Series: What exactly happened with Wriddhiman Saha?
After being dropped from Team India for the Sri Lanka series, Wriddhiman Saha was approached by a ‘respected journalist’ for an interview. But Saha did not respond to the interview requests. Instead, he publicly stated what he had to say.
Later, the journalist threatened Saha, saying “I will never again interview you. I don’t take insults likely. This isn’t something you should have done.”
IND vs SL Series: Unhappy BCCI mulls ‘new media GUIDELINES’ after Wriddhiman Saha episode ahead of Sri Lanka series
Wriddhiman Saha shared screenshots of an unsavoury and disrespectful exchange with a ‘respected journalist’ on social media in the wake of him being dropped from the Indian squad for the series against Sri Lanka.
The post created a furore and grabbed the eyeballs of many former cricketers, with the likes of Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, former head coach Ravi Shastri and ICA member and ex-Indian star Pragyan Ojha.
IND vs SL Series: Unhappy BCCI mulls ‘new media GUIDELINES’ after Wriddhiman Saha episode ahead of Sri Lanka series
