Ok why would anyone who works on any of the Fox shows bother to get dressed up for the TCAs with this being the decision made by the muckety mucks over there?
All I can say is WOW - great move guys…Fox will now be left behind and all of the other networks will get full coverage.
Inside Move: AP snaps over Fox’s TCA photo policy
Wire service boycotts press tour sessions
The summer TV Critics Assn. tour is barely two days old, and already a “controversy” has erupted.
The AP has decided to boycott the upcoming Fox and FX press tour sessions, citing Fox’s decision to bar the wire service from taking photos of its panel discussions. AP administrative news editor Steve Loeper informed Fox of his decision in an email Tuesday — copying a Daily Variety editor for good measure.
“We have had photo access to these sessions in the past, but this year, the network is asking we use handout photography in place of our own coverage,” Loeper wrote in the email. “This sets a dangerous precedent and is unacceptable to us because it interferes with our ability to fully and independently report these sessions as journalists. No other network is restricting our access in this way.”
Loeper then writes that “without complete and independent photo access” the AP is “left with no other choice than to withdraw worldwide print, online and photo coverage of ALL Fox events at this summer’s press tour, beginning with FX this week.”
In an interview, AP entertainment photo editor Dan Becker said he still wasn’t quite sure why Fox had nixed press photography, but believes the net was upset with some of the photos that came out of the network’s winter press tour sessions.
“I think they wanted a bit more control over the images,” he said.
But Fox exec VP for communications Joe Earley noted AP hasn’t even sent a photographer to the last two Fox press tours.
Earley wouldn’t comment on the specific reasons behind the decision, except to say it was made “for varied reasons.”
“It’s unfortunate that they’ve reacted in such an aggressive and detrimental manner,” Earley added. “I only wish they had given me the opportunity to be a part of the discussion before unnecessarily making this a press issue. This manner of doing business certainly hurts the relationship and will complicate working together as we go forward.”
While AP’s email insists on “complete and independent” photo access, other nets have placed restrictions on photogs.
ABC won’t allow outside photographers into the session featuring entertainment prexy Steve McPherson, for example, but press photogs are invited to most other sessions. NBC says it continues to allow photographers into most sessions.
CBS kicks out cameras after the first 10 minutes of sessions, and doesn’t allow them into exec panels.
AP said Fox went too far, however.
“If they’re not going to allow us to cover a news event, we’re not able to cover Fox’s TCA events in general,” Becker said. “The fact that we might not be able to get in with photography impacts whether we send reporters.”
