The uproar created by the SEC’s strict media policy has forced the conference to revisit its rules and, in a move that will be applauded by schools throughout the South, tweak them in a surprisingly significant manner.
According to the Tampa Tribune, the league announced new media directives that should soften the anger at news desks and station manager’s offices all across SEC country.
“During the last week, we have heard from members of the media about the credential policy,’' said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. “This revised policy reflects many of the concerns that we have heard. It is a balance between the media’s ability to cover our sporting events and the SEC’s ability to protect its digital rights and trademarks.”
The Tribune sums up the changes as follows:
-- The revised policy eliminates prohibitions on press conference and practice footage from the original policy.
-- The revised policy eliminates the provision on non full-time staff members from media agencies from the original policy.
-- Television stations are able to air three-minutes of broadcast video (ESPN, CBS, etc.) of an SEC athletic contest on its television newscast for up to a week following the conclusion of the game. The previous restriction was up to 72 hours following completion of the game.
-- Television stations are able to air three minutes of their own video from an SEC athletics contest on its television newscast with no restrictions as to the date of the re-air. Previous restriction was up to 72 hours following completion of the game.
-- The internet medium will not be able to have highlights from SEC athletic contests. However, media websites will be offered at no charge or premium, a video player that will make available video highlights of SEC athletic events.
For a look at the complete, revised media policy, click HERE.
