Pa Sport Pulls Snooker Writers
News and information provider PA Sport has caused controversy by pulling its snooker writers and will now take copy directly from the sport’s governing body website and in-house reporters.
As of 4th December, PA Sport will take quotes and stats from World Snooker’s website, as opposed to running copy from the seven reporters previously covering the sport’s matches.
This has concerned various sects of the sport journalist industry, particularly the Snooker Writers’ Association.
George Riley, chair of the association said in a letter: ‘Would PA take England soccer coverage from the official FA website? Manchester United match reports from Manutd.com? No other sports would even entertain this idea. Worldsnooker.com is a corporate website that does not give an accurate account of what happens at tournaments. Any controversy is basically played down or even covered up.’
PA Sport has reportedly insisted that the change in protocol will not affect their impartiality and that it would call for freelance copy if a big story breaks.
