'Media should lay down parameters for coverage' by Cricket Archive Staff Reporter

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Player:

GS Chappell

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DateLine: 22nd January 2007

 

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla on Saturday criticised the electronic media for its over-hyped coverage of cricket and cricketers. He said the media should restrain itself from covering each and everything happening in cricket. "Media, particularly the electronic medium, has grown the habit of covering even smallest things attached to cricket. Be it players` hair style or performance on the field, it is being covered. It should not be done and there should be a line somewhere," he said while releasing the book `Dressing room - the inside story`. Citing the example of electronic media`s coverage of Pariamentarians` reactions to India`s dismal show in South Africa, he said the coverage presented a false picture. "It appeared as if parliament was discussing nothing but cricket. But whatever was said was outside the parliament and not inside. "One TV journalist even advised a member of parliament to move a privilege motion against coach Greg Chappell. He had gone to the extent of saying that he should be informed in advance so that he can break the news ahead of other channels," he said. Shukla said the time had come for the media to think about this intrusive coverage. "Media should lay some parameters for cricket coverage and only media can decide what should be done. One day the media criticises players and management and other day it showers praise. We don`t understand what to do," he said.