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Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
THE Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is crafting rules to create a positive working relationship with the media.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said the regulations are standard rules that are implemented by most leagues, regionally and internationally.
He said they were aimed at creating a good working relationship between clubs, the media and PSL officials to ensure the smooth running of matches.
“We want to create a situation where no one is inconvenienced as they go about their duties. We are still at consultation stage although we have done most of the groundwork,” he said.
Ndebele said they encouraged clubs during the offseason to have media liaison officers in their ranks so they can cultivate proper relationships with journalists.
The regulations will be bordered around ensuring pre-match press conferences are held with media having access to the teams before every game.
Ndebele said they would advocate for the creation of specific sitting areas for the media and are encouraging stadium owners on internet connectivity.
“We are going to engage stadium owners and encourage them to have internet facilities at their facilities so that journalists can easily have access as is the trend in other international stadiums. We are also advocating for the creation of special sitting areas for media personnel.
“We would like to have a specific time for post-match interviews to be held and we are proposing they be held 20 minutes after the final whistle. Dressing rooms are out of bounds to the media unless there is prior arrangement with the club and for one broadcast journalist who would be taking footage of players’ jerseys,” he said.
A specific area would be created for photographers behind the goalposts with camerapersons getting bibs so they are easily identified.
Ndebele said the journalists should respect the field of play, should not enter the pitch and should not interview team officials before a game is over.
“We see some photographers moving around the pitch when the game has started but this is not allowed. They not only disturb match officials but during live broadcasts they block broadcasting cameras in certain instances.
“We had an incident in Masvingo where a journalist decided to conduct an interview 25 minutes into the match and it is not something we can tolerate. Team officials should not be approached while they are in the technical area during the game,” he said.
Commenting on an incident in which some journalists found themselves unable to gain access into the stadium during a Highlanders home game, Ndebele said privilege cards should be given the respect they deserve.
He said although he has not received any official report concerning the incident, they had urged clubs to hire media liaison officers to avoid such scenarios.
“If there is a specific person to deal with then it is makes the situation easier to handle rather than to start looking for a board member or another official.
“However, the problem is there are a lot of people who want to gain free entry into the stadium and this poses problems for those who are properly accredited. You find a Division Four referee seeking to get in for free while some come with a very old card.
“In Bulawayo I think we issued about 50 privilege cards but you see 600 people wanting to get in for free. At one point I had to pay to get in because there was commotion at the gate used for entry by card holders,” he said.
Ndebele said they would have to come up with several workshops with all the involved personnel to ensure there is no inconvenience for anyone.
Online Reporter