BROADCASTER VIDEO LEAK LOCK-OUT

CHANNEL 9 BANNED

CHANNEL Nine have been stripped of their media accreditation a day out from the start of the Commonwealth Games, as the GOLDOC chairman blasted them for their “breach of trust”.

GOLDOC confirmed Nine Network Australia had their accreditation suspended “until further notice”, following the airing of behind the scenes footage of the opening ceremony.

It’s understood Nine and other media outlets were invited to a dress rehearsal of the ceremony on Saturday night and aired footage shot inside Carrara Stadium, showing it on their 6pm news on Sunday.

The grainy footage showed a number of the ceremony’s secrets, including choreography, inflatables and some of the people taking part in the event.

There are fears among Nine employees that this may end their Games coverage, as it is believed the suspension restricts them from covering post-Games events and interviews with athletes.

It is understood GOLDOC will make a decision in the coming days on what the suspension will entail.

In a statement GOLDOC said Nine had breached “News Access Rules” and other conventions.

“GOLDOC has informed Nine Network Australia that their GC2018 media accreditation has been suspended until further notice,” it said.

“Channel 9 News broadcast footage of Saturday night’s opening ceremony dress rehearsal, which breached News Access Rules and accepted industry conventions regarding confidentiality of Games ceremonial rehearsals.

“GOLDOC expects all media organisations to abide by the agreed rules.”

A Nine spokesperson last night said: “An error was made in our news last night. We are in discussions with the Commonwealth Games authorities to restore our accreditation, and hope to have the situation resolved as soon as possible.”

GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie told the Bulletin last night that it was a breach of trust on Nine’s behalf.

“It’s disappointing and to be honest, all the other media has played the game, you guys have played the game on it,” Mr Beattie said.

“I did feel a bit of a breach of trust, that’s true, but we’ll move on. “If too much gets out it just ruins it and we don’t want to do that.”

Mr Beattie said the opening ceremony was about setting the tone for the Games and he didn’t want that spoiled by footage released before the event.

“It’s a really important experience for the people who come here. We want this to be a real moment for Queensland, a real moment for the Gold Coast.

“The opening ceremony sets the tone for the Games and we don’t want to spoil it for the people who are coming or the 1.5 billion people who are going to watch it. We will move to protect it I’m afraid.”