I&B minister steps in to resolve ICC-electronic media tussle

Soni swung into action when representatives of the News Broadcasters Association met her this morning, prompting her to call up senior ICC officials, including its President Sharad Pawar.

The Minister has written a letter to Pawar requesting him to allow the electronic media to cover the event as was the case earlier, sources told PTI. "Prime Ministers of two countries are coming so the electronic media should be allowed," she said.

She also called a meeting on March 31 to sort out the issues which would be attended by representatives of the ICC, major channels and top BCCI bosses. The ICC last night barred the electronic media from covering the remaining matches of the cricket World Cup for alleged breach of media guidelines.

It is supposed to be applicable to both the semifinals in Colombo and Mohali and the final in Mumbai. ESPN-StarSports has the broadcast rights for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, television news channels today decided to desist from accessing ongoing cricket world cup venues including Mohali and covering press conferences and practice sessions in the wake of ICC barring them from these events. In a statement, the NBA said they have taken the stand in the view of the "unreasonable" stand taken by the ICC at a crucial juncture of the World Cup matches.