January 24, 2008
Word has reached the IHSA of a new House bill designed to prohibit the IHSA from enforcing its photography policy. The Illinois Press Association is the force behind both House Bill 4582 and ongoing litigation filed in Springfield. Their leadership wants to characterize this as a "freedom of the press" issue, but it’s not that at all; rather it has to do with their members' profit motives and, in particular, their desire to profit from reselling photos of IHSA events.
IHSA is not in any way regulating or restricting news coverage of its events or the ability to publish or circulate photos of those events. In a recent letter to the Illinois Press Association, the IHSA indicated that newspapers could give photos to anyone in their communities, provided the photos were used for personal rather than commercial use. The IHSA also indicated that photo galleries on newspaper Web sites could contain an unlimited number of photos from IHSA events. If the newspapers are interested in providing a community service, the opportunity clearly exists. It has become abundantly clear, however, that some members of the Illinois Press Association are more interested in the commercial photography business.
The bill submitted by Rep. Joseph Lyons has far-reaching implications for our Association and our member schools. First of all, if passed, this bill will likely end our tradition of providing live television coverage of March Madness and the IHSA Boys Football championship games. Each year our television coverage is accessible to millions of Illinois citizens. Our viewership has long enjoyed this coverage, but without the ability to regulate its distribution, it is very likely that we will no longer be able to televise events. Also, it is clear this bill will lead to reducing our services or passing on increased costs to our member schools while newspapers and other news media profit.
The Illinois Press Association now wants to do an end run around the judicial system. When the judge denied the Illinois Press Association's request for a temporary restraining order in November, he saw through the Press Association's motives and saw the case for what it really is. We are confident that our legislators will do the same.
-- IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman