Slashdot Mirror
NCAA Puts Severe Limits On Sport Event Blogging
An anonymous reader writes "You would think that the NCAA would be thrilled to have reporters live blogging events in order to generate more interest and keep passionate fans talking about NCAA sports. Not so. The governing body of the NCAA has released new rules for receiving press credentials and it includes severe limits on live blogging. If you're covering NCAA football, make sure you don't blog more than 3 times in a single quarter. If it's baseball, one post an inning is all you get. If you don't follow the rules expect to get ejected and have your press credentials pulled."
They are talking about pulling offenders press passes -- so these are rules for people who are getting in under their rules to begin with. Not the guy in the stand blogging about the great game.
"Less even detect at which seating I am ?"
I think you miss the point. The only seating they are concerned with here is the press box (and anywhere else press credentials will get you like the sidelines in some cases). If you're going to blog from the stands, then no they can't stop you but if you're going to use your blog to become a card-carrying member of the press and get into the event on their dime, then you're going to play by their rules. Generally speaking they will be keeping an eye on you in that case. They're kind of stupid rules but at least bloggers can get press credentials for NCAA events.
If you want to get press credentials then you've got to follow the rules. I'm sure part of the process of applying for the credentials involves letting the NCAA know which site you write for and as such they could check to see how many times you post to that site if they want to.
Since this only applies to bloggers with press credentials, you can do whatever you damn well please if you just buy a ticket and sit in the stands like everybody else. Of course, good luck doing live blogging from the stands of a college football game when it's raining or snowing.
There's no law (that I'm aware of) that prevents them from barring those with cell phones, as stupid as that might be. It's jamming them that's illegal-- at least in the United States.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_2&id=cellular
"The operation of transmitters designed to jam or block wireless communications is a violation of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended ("Act"). See 47 U.S.C. Sections 301, 302a, 333. The Act prohibits any person from willfully or maliciously interfering with the radio communications of any station licensed or authorized under the Act or operated by the U.S. government. 47 U.S.C. Section 333. The manufacture, importation, sale or offer for sale, including advertising, of devices designed to block or jam wireless transmissions is prohibited. 47 U.S.C. Section 302a(b). Parties in violation of these provisions may be subject to the penalties set out in 47 U.S.C. Sections 501-510. Fines for a first offense can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year, and the device used may also be seized and forfeited to the U.S. government."
This applies even on private property, because of the largely uncontrollable nature of signal propagation. For this same reason, it is effectively impossible for any person, entity, or government short of the federal government in the US to make any sort of rules relating to radio transmission, no matter where they try to enforce such rules.
The owner of the BlackHawks (hockey) made an exclusive contract with comcast to air the the matches back in the 80s. As a result, they now have an entire generation that doesn't give a crap out their local NHL team and will could potentially lose a massive amount of future revenue.