Paris 2024 A Difficult Event For Some Media To Cover
The International Olympic Committee held a media session at the Main Press Centre – Porte Maillot, Paris, France to educate especially the Non Rights Holders. The main focus of the media briefing was to inform the NRH Media personnel on how to Master the News Access Rules & Learn where they can & cannot film.
On the head table & conducting the session were Lucia Montanarella – Associate Director, Olympic Games Media Operations & Editor in Chief, Olympic Information Service together with Georg Spazier – ENR Liason, IOC Media Operations & Jayne Pearce – Head of Press Operations, Paris 2024.
The Opening Ceremony in this instance is unique as it is mainly happening on the river Seine. So it is spread over a distance of over 05 kms. 02 specially designated areas without any facilities have been facilitated for Non Rights Holders media amongst the spectators. The High Demand Event is virtually restricted to the Rights Holders Media & only about 100 others will have access to the official media positions with facilities provided for work. Moreover, due to high security requirements, media personnel were requested to have with them documents of identity in addition to the validated accreditation cards. The Non Rights Holders media were advised to view the opening ceremony from the Main Media Centre. They were told that other than photographs to be taken, they were prevented from carrying any accessories needed for filming. This is also pertaining to other high demand events such as Closing Ceremony, Swimming Finals, Basketball Finals & Track Athletic Finals.
The Paris 2024 Games are experimenting with several other systems to curtail unauthorised use of images & visuals, especially on various social media platforms, so that the Rights Holders media will have greater value for their extensive / large financial commitment towards conducting the 33rd Summer Olympiad.
The innovative, energetic & ambitious media personnel will engineer many worthwhile & successful ways to bring the spirit of the most extravagant global sporting spectacle to the sports loving public, hungry for quality entertainment coupled with healthy rivalry.
The Games are well underway now.
Haritha Perera in Paris, France courtesy the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka