FC Porto to journalists’ union: Document is standard practice | OneFootball

FC Porto rejected the criticisms from the Journalists' Union, arguing that the liability waiver required from photographers at games in Estádio do Dragão does not violate the Press Law or the Journalist's Statute. "The adoption of this document does not conflict, under any circumstances, with the press law or the journalist's statute, and is not intended to censor professionals or media outlets, strictly respecting the applicable legal, ethical, and deontological frameworks," reads a statement from the 'blues and whites'.

The Journalists' Union urged photojournalists to refuse the conditions imposed by the club, reminding that these professionals are already covered by applicable law and ethical codes. In a statement, the SJ deemed "unacceptable the document that FC Porto wants to force photojournalists to sign in order to work at the club's sporting events, particularly at games in Estádio do Dragão."

At the center of the controversy is the requirement for a prior subscription of a liability waiver for the accreditation of photographers at the 'blue and white' club's games, a measure that, according to FC Porto, aims to "safeguard professional dignity, editorial purpose, and the legitimate exercise of the activity of duly qualified photojournalists."

The club states that it accredits only photographers who hold a Professional Card and work for media outlets. The new rule comes as a response to cases where, despite being accredited, some professionals use their presence for commercial activities, such as selling images to third parties or conducting unauthorized broadcasts – including 'streaming' – deviating from the strictly editorial purpose that legitimizes accreditation.

The Union reinforced that the "Journalist's Professional Card, whose issuance frames professionals in compliance with ethical, deontological, and legal requirements, is sufficient for the granting of accreditations for public events," adding that "it is the only criterion that the SJ can accept to ensure journalists' access." The SJ also reminded that journalists are already subject to the press law, the journalist's statute, and the ethical and deontological code that guides the profession.

In turn, FC Porto emphasized that "the aforementioned liability waiver aims to clarify duties and responsibilities, protecting legitimate journalistic exercise and ensuring that the accreditation granted by FC Porto is used exclusively for editorial purposes," and that "it should be clear that this document does not limit or condition, in any case, the legitimate exercise of the photojournalist profession. It is a common practice – giving the example of UEFA, but also ACP and WRC, organizers of the Rally of Portugal – and believes it will be well received by media outlets and their professionals, representing a positive contribution so that sports information – transmitted through images – continues to be characterized, nationally, by the quality, rigor, and integrity for which it is recognized."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.