A proposal to charge photographers a fee of £60 to obtain press accreditation to cover MCUI (Motor Cycle Union of Ireland) events this season has been scrapped.

The controversial determination was met with a severe backlash and even prompted prominent motorcycle sponsor, Adelaide Insurance Services, to threaten to pull its support of key events including the Adelaide Masters round at Bishopscourt in the summer in protest at the decision.

The Belfast company’s director, Sam Geddis, was concerned that more media outlets would follow the example of the Newtownards Chronicle, which vowed to boycott pre-event press coverage of motorcycle events and implement a blackout of sponsors’ names in the publication unless the fee was abolished.

However, such a scenario has now been averted after a series of meetings were held by the MCUI to address the issue.

The application process has been tightened up to ensure only bona fide photographers are eligible for a photographers pass in 2012.

A fee of £15 (20 euros) is required with each application to cover administration costs.

The new criteria has also been accepted by the sport’s governing body in the

Republic of Ireland, Motorcycling Ireland, ensuring the accreditation is valid north and south of the border.

Stephen Davison of the Pacemaker Press agency in Belfast, regarded as motorcycle road racing’s leading photographer, welcomed the decision:

“The impetus for tighter controls came from the clubs and the MCUI. This was not something that was initiated by photographers.

“There was a misguided attempt to do something about the issue by charging £60, which resulted in a backlash.

“The MCUI engaged in a proper consultation, involving clubs and photographers, which has brought forward a set of proposals. “These have been accepted now both north and south and that is to be welcomed.”


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