MLB Nearing Deal To Amend Limits On Multimedia Content

MLB and Associated Press Sports Editors are nearing a signed agreement to amend distributed press credentialing guidelines for '08 that sought to impose new limits on multimedia content developed by news organizations at MLB ballparks. Under a tentative agreement negotiated last week at MLBAM offices, news outlets that regularly cover MLB clubs will be allowed to post up to 2 minutes of video per day, one minute of audio, and 15 pictures per day on their Web sites, up from the previously mandated 120 seconds total of audio and video, and seven photos per day. Previously banned photo galleries are being permitted under the revised provisions, and further exceptions will be made for some major and historic events. Formal press conferences remain exempt from the time limits. Left to be finalized are permitted archiving times for material. Under the originally distributed guidelines, non-text content was to be taken down from news outlet Web sites after 72 hours. APSE still is seeking an increase in that number. “We have an agreement in principle that will be mutually respectful and beneficial to each side, and we hope to have it completed by the end of the week,” said MLBAM Exec VP & Editor-in-Chief Dinn Mann.