PakPassion.net has learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)is forcing it's players, against their wishes, to speak with certain sections of the media.As per strictly established and enforced rules, contracted players have a long list of guidelines that they must abide by in their dealings with the media. The PCB have, thus, been enforcing a hard line and strict policies on it's cricketers particularly on discipline and interaction with the media.

By Saj Sadiq (12th December, 2012)

PakPassion.net has learnt that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)is forcing it's players, against their wishes, to speak with certain sections of the media.

As per strictly established and enforced rules, contracted players have a long list of guidelines that they must abide by in their dealings with the media. The PCB have, thus, been enforcing a hard line and strict policies on it's cricketers particularly on discipline and interaction with the media.

Interviews with contracted players currently have to be approved by the PCB’s media department and any players who do not follow these guidelines face disciplinary action. For one to one interviews, media have to submit requests to the PCB media department and await formal approval from the Board before they are permitted to speak with a player.

However whilst most sections of the media patiently await approval from the PCB's media department, other sections of the media are being given a free hand in interacting with the cricketers according to one journalist in Pakistan.

Speaking with PakPassion.net the Lahore based journalist was scathing in his opinion of the PCB media department and it's handling of media affairs.

The journalist stated "All contracted players have to get approval from the PCB to do an interview. I asked the PCB nearly three months ago for a one to one interview with a contracted player, and despite many phone calls, emails and messages and even a visit to the PCB offices in Lahore, I was unsuccessful with my request."

"However since my request was submitted, that player that I wanted to interview has been allowed to do two television interviews. I certainly do not blame the player as he is not at fault, it's the PCB policy that is at fault. They tell us to follow a procedure and then bend the rules for some of their friends and associates in the media."

"This is not professional and definitely needs investigating. We all have livelihoods and mouths to feed and we are being denied interviews due to the unfair handling of media affairs by the PCB media department. It's unethical that requests are given months before some sections of the media, yet our requests are denied and they are given priority over us. You have to wonder what is going on behind the scenes and why the PCB media department is favouring some media sources. To me it's very suspicious and definitely needs looking into" added the journalist.

The journalist further added "Recently at a media function during the Faysal Bank T20 tournament a senior journalist had a heated argument with a member of the PCB media department after venting his frustrations on the lack of cooperation from the PCB media team. We are not asking for a total overhaul of the system, just some sort of equality and fair treatment from the media department, instead of them yielding to the requests of some media that they seem to be frightened of upsetting."

The relationship between Pakistani cricketers and the media has always been one that hangs on loose threads. The general impression of the media by the cricketers in Pakistan is that most journalists would prefer the team to be struggling and for controversies to fill their pages and bulletins. A successful Pakistan team and a team without controversy is generally regarded as one not to the liking of the majority of the media.

Several of the current crop of Pakistani cricketers have had strained relationships with the media, with some even coming out and defending themselves against certain sections of the media who rather than basing their work on facts, have been resorting to personal attacks against some players who they clearly have differences with.

Despite this uneasy backdrop, the PCB has forced some of it's contracted cricketers to be interviewed by media outlets against their wishes and despite those cricketers clearly stating to it's employers that they did not wish to speak to certain particular media outlets.

However even with the player's reservations and requests not to be interviewed by the particular media outlets, the Board has told the players in no uncertain terms, that they do not have an option and that they have to let that particular outlet interview them or face the consequences.

A source close to the PCB stated to PakPassion.net "The stand-off between some players and the Board is not healthy. There is definitely an uneasy atmosphere between the PCB and some of the players regarding this issue and at the moment the players are literally being blackmailed into giving these interviews. The players are only co-operating to avert any backlash from their employers."

The question that needs to be asked though is why is the PCB so keen to keep certain sections of the media "sweet" and to remain in their good books? This is occurring, despite heavy criticism of the Board's policies at times from these media outlets and also the continued personal attacks against some of the Pakistan players, by employees of certain media outlets.

Is there some financial gain for some at the PCB in allowing these interviews despite the players not wanting to cooperate?

Is the PCB media department following orders from those in the corridors of power at the PCB and if so why are those officials at the PCB so keen to please certain sections of the media?

Are there some personal matters between Board officials and some in the media that the Board do not want to be revealed?

Whatever the reason is, the players are being used as pawns in this debacle and made to look stupid by sitting in front of media outlets with whom they have no respect for or indeed wish to speak to.

Discuss