WELCOME !

By Ms Slava CORN (CAN), FIG vice President and President of the FIG Media Commission.

The Media, whether the printed, spoken or digital image is a privileged partner of the FIG. With this in mind, we will continue to co-operate ever more closely with this community in developing the FIG MEDIA RULES.

Our objectives are to help organisers of FIG events to support the Media function and to promote good relations and co-operation between communications professionals and the FIG authorities. These rules outline the general framework of this co-operation and detail the rights and obligations of each group.  The aims defined should help to establish a fair compromise between the technical requirements of competition and those of the media, so as to enable them to work co-operatively in the best possible conditions.

Sport in general, and gymnastics in particular, are important subjects for the communications world. At its highest level gymnastics needs more than ever before, the assistance of modern communications to convey both its image and its message to the world.  Against a competitive economic background in constant flux, the media too needs to be provided with high-quality information, good facilities to perform efficiently, to market its stories and services worldwide.

The responsibilities of the FIG, delegated to its Media & Communications Commission, as also those of the organisers, delegated to its Local Media Officer, are central to this process. Their task is to safeguard the fundamental principles of the FIG, as defined in Article 2 of its Statutes.

Everyone using these FIG MEDIA RULES should point out any omissions or errors, with the sole aim of helping us to improve the relationships and the working conditions of all those involved.

In its final form the FIG MEDIA RULES will make up an integral part of the organisers' list of duties of any official FIG event.

Thanks for your continued co-operation and support.

Foreword

By Philippe SILACCI (FIG), Media Operations Officer.

Madame, Sir,

This document is addressed first and foremost to FIG event organisers, to those responsible for making the arrangements for and welcoming media to an event venue. And while it is a tool, a guide if you will, it is also a set of rules.
Herein you will find a number of recommendations to follow, things that I’ve learned from years of working in press halls worldwide.

I would invite you to read it attentively; it is based on first-hand experience and is a realistic look at media needs onsite. Putting it into practise will allow you to sidestep a number of unexpected situations, the kind that can be hard to handle in the sensitive area of communication. You will be doing yourself a favour, and making the job easier for everyone involved.

Pay special attention to the accreditation section, where only the strictest approach will protect those holding a professional press card.

The Media Guidelines is an integral part of the FIG’s policy to assist its affiliated federations.
By creating an optimal environment for the media, working conditions that are often outlined in the rules and manuals used for the largest of international events, organisers will earn the respect of media professionals and give their championships a positive image.

Thank you for your attention.