Sky come down to earth
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sky Television crews had their accreditation for the World Cup withdrawn yesterday for "acting in direct contravention" of news access guidelines, writes Tim Glover from Johannesburg.
Apparently what really upset Rugby World Cup Ltd and ITV, with whom they have an exclusive agreement, was the presence of a Sky camera in the England dressing-room prior to the match against Argentina.
In a statement last night RWC said: "Sky, a non-rights holding company, were granted accreditation on the understanding they would work in accordance with the guidelines set down. Their personnel, however, have not abided by the guidelines and have on several occasions taken non-accredited cameras into accredited areas. Despite warnings Sky have continued to act in direct contravention of the guidelines and the point has been reached where Rugby World Cup consider that the exclusivity of their rights- holding broadcasters has been so significantly compromised that it is necessary to withdraw Sky's accreditation."
ITV paid about pounds 6m for the rights and companies like Sky were given very limited access. They were not allowed, for example, to take their cameras into the grounds. ITV would suffer similar restrictions at an event at which Sky held the television tights.
Jeremy Thompson, Africa Bureau Chief of Sky News, said: "They've been gunning for us from the start. We will continue to cover the World Cup even if we have to report from the car park. Losing accreditation is no big deal. All it means is that we now have to buy tickets to the matches. We will now operate as a loose cannon."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments