Tyr-Ziu Saxnot
05-31-2014, 07:46 PM
http://news.yahoo.com/france-restricts-coverage-d-day-anniversary-145303887.html
France restricts coverage of D-Day anniversary
.
Associated Press
May 30, 2014 3:30 PM
PARIS (AP) — Millions of viewers worldwide could miss live coverage of the commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day next week because the French president's office reversed a decision to grant international news agencies free access to the broadcast.
The administration of Francois Hollande has handed two French broadcast networks exclusive rights to the main international ceremony, and they are now imposing sports-style syndication fees on global news agencies, satellite and cable news channels, and online news outlets.
The French host broadcasters, France Televisions and TF1, are demanding that global news providers AP, AFP, Reuters and ENEX pay nearly 200,000 euros ($265,000) collectively for live broadcast and online streaming coverage of the official ceremonies, which feature at least 18 heads of state.
The French networks are providing coverage free to European state broadcasters, who belong to the 100-member European Broadcasting Union consortium.
AP, Reuters, AFP and ENEX together represent over 1,500 broadcasters and thousands of digital platforms.
The four agencies have protested the decision, calling for all news organizations to be granted free access to live coverage of an event of global importance, as has been common practice at similar events elsewhere.
"We are dismayed that the Elysee Palace is denying The Associated Press and other international news agencies fair access to live broadcast coverage of D-Day commemorations, which will be attended by world leaders and hundreds of veterans," said Kathleen Carroll, senior vice president and executive editor of AP.
"By granting access to only a few select channels and charging prohibitive sums, millions of viewers around the world will be unable to witness this historic, global event, the solemnity of which will reflect the commitment of an international array of forces 70 years ago," Carroll said. "We believe the Elysee and its French broadcast partners should allow free and unrestricted access to all newsgathering organizations."
A subsequent request by the news agencies to cover the main international ceremony live themselves was denied.
The decision means that D-Day veterans who are too frail or can't afford to travel to France for the 70th anniversary may not be able to see the main ceremony on television or online.
On Friday, after the agencies protested the decision, an official at the Elysee said that the live broadcast signal would be made available free to television networks who ask — but not to news agencies, satellite or cable channels or Internet video providers, who provide news to millions of viewers.
The Elysee could not explain how individual television networks would receive the broadcast, since they normally receive live coverage from news agencies over dedicated satellite networks.
The frogs are a marching now because they are not facing any enemy guns!!
Let a few guns appear and up goes the white flag.
How dare these ungrateful bastards deny our military WW2 veterans
live coverage of the D-day 70th anniversary!!!!!
France restricts coverage of D-Day anniversary
.
Associated Press
May 30, 2014 3:30 PM
PARIS (AP) — Millions of viewers worldwide could miss live coverage of the commemorations marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day next week because the French president's office reversed a decision to grant international news agencies free access to the broadcast.
The administration of Francois Hollande has handed two French broadcast networks exclusive rights to the main international ceremony, and they are now imposing sports-style syndication fees on global news agencies, satellite and cable news channels, and online news outlets.
The French host broadcasters, France Televisions and TF1, are demanding that global news providers AP, AFP, Reuters and ENEX pay nearly 200,000 euros ($265,000) collectively for live broadcast and online streaming coverage of the official ceremonies, which feature at least 18 heads of state.
The French networks are providing coverage free to European state broadcasters, who belong to the 100-member European Broadcasting Union consortium.
AP, Reuters, AFP and ENEX together represent over 1,500 broadcasters and thousands of digital platforms.
The four agencies have protested the decision, calling for all news organizations to be granted free access to live coverage of an event of global importance, as has been common practice at similar events elsewhere.
"We are dismayed that the Elysee Palace is denying The Associated Press and other international news agencies fair access to live broadcast coverage of D-Day commemorations, which will be attended by world leaders and hundreds of veterans," said Kathleen Carroll, senior vice president and executive editor of AP.
"By granting access to only a few select channels and charging prohibitive sums, millions of viewers around the world will be unable to witness this historic, global event, the solemnity of which will reflect the commitment of an international array of forces 70 years ago," Carroll said. "We believe the Elysee and its French broadcast partners should allow free and unrestricted access to all newsgathering organizations."
A subsequent request by the news agencies to cover the main international ceremony live themselves was denied.
The decision means that D-Day veterans who are too frail or can't afford to travel to France for the 70th anniversary may not be able to see the main ceremony on television or online.
On Friday, after the agencies protested the decision, an official at the Elysee said that the live broadcast signal would be made available free to television networks who ask — but not to news agencies, satellite or cable channels or Internet video providers, who provide news to millions of viewers.
The Elysee could not explain how individual television networks would receive the broadcast, since they normally receive live coverage from news agencies over dedicated satellite networks.
The frogs are a marching now because they are not facing any enemy guns!!
Let a few guns appear and up goes the white flag.
How dare these ungrateful bastards deny our military WW2 veterans
live coverage of the D-day 70th anniversary!!!!!