Commenting on the agreement, CSA CEO Gerald Majola said, "This is an important agreement, as we put a high value on having a good working relationship with the media in all its different forms, whether it be electronic, print or the rapidly changing world of social networks. The media are the essential communication platform between our fans and us. They also play a vital role in adding value to our various sponsorship agreements."
SANEF chairperson Mondli Makhanya added that editors represented through the forum welcomed the finalisation of the agreement - after temporary agreements covered the last few years - as a constructive compromise between the interests of media organisations, which must convey cricket news to the public and the commercial and sponsorship interests of CSA.
"We particularly welcome the inclusion of a special clause setting out that nothing in the agreement restricts media freedom, including fair comment and criticism," he said.
Both parties have agreed to hold regular preview and review sessions to ensure continued improved relations between CSA and the media. The updated media terms and conditions are now available on the CSA website.
As most media institutions missed 30 September 2011 deadline to apply for accreditation to publish the matric results, the DBE has now extended the deadline to 26 October 2011, to allow media institutions to study and agree to the norms and standards for the public release of the results. The DBE will also meet with the Young Communist League in the coming week, to address its concerns about the impact of releasing the results in newspapers.
