A standoff between the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the media seems to be on the cards with the IPL making changes in its "media accreditation and news access guidelines" that would make it difficult for news organizations to accept them on several counts.

The new guidelines have several significant departures from those of 2008. Most place severe restrictions on TV channels, websites and magazines, in particular. They also place restrictions depending on the nature of media ownership, which too are bound to face stiff resistance.

The guidelines specify that TV news channels can use no more than 30 seconds of fresh footage from the IPL per bulletin and not more than 120 seconds for a match. Further, there is a 7-minute limit for a full day. Repeats are allowed no more than three times a day against the earlier four.

The guidelines also stipulate a minimum delay of 30 minutes from the live telecast against just five minutes in 2008. Live telecast means the entire period from the first ball to post-match ceremonies.

Live streaming on the broadcaster's own websites, which was allowed in the 2008 season will no longer be allowed. Nor is deferred or archived footage allowed to be displayed on the broadcaster's own or a third party website.

As for use of archival footage until the next season, all that is permitted under the new guidelines is a maximum of two clips of 30 seconds each per day against the earlier two minutes per day.

One change that could prove really problematic for the media in the long run is the manner in which the guidelines define "bona fide news magazine" and "bona fide news media website". These make it clear that a news magazine will qualify as such only if its "business solely concerns the provision of news to the public" and "no part of that magazine's business involves the sale, distribution or supply of any goods or services other than the provision of news to the public."

Similarly, a website will qualify for carrying IPL content only if it is "owned (directly and indirectly), run and managed by an organization whose primary business solely concerns the provision of news to the public."

This means life-style or travel magazines, for instance, are ruled out from carrying IPL content. The guidelines also place restrictions on the nature of the ownership of media organizations that are eligible, for reasons that are far from clear.

Accreditation for IPL season 3 is open till February 21, but don't be surprised if there is a showdown between the event organizers and the media before anybody signs on.