Don’t expect your favorite sports journalists to be live-tweeting at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games — or posting Vines or Instagram pics, for that matter.
Any reporters caught using their iPhones or other non-professional devices to post photos or videos of the Olympic Games on social media will reportedly be stripped of their credentials, according to the Atlantic Wire.
The announcement was apparently made on Friday, at a seminar for sports reporters who will be covering the games. Reporters are only allowed to use professional SLR cameras and video equipment and must have special badges to allow them to do so.
Members of the general audience will be allowed to use their iPhones and other amateur technology. They will not be allowed to professional-grade equipment, such as SLR cameras.
At least two Russian media outlets have reported the restrictions, but according to BuzzFeed, the media official who reportedly made the announcement denies it.
Next year’s restriction wouldn’t be the first time this has happened, however. During the 2012 London Summer Olympics, there were strict guidelines placed on media and participants in the games.
“Participants and other accredited persons cannot post any video and/or audio of the events, competitions or any other activities which occur at Olympic Venues. Such video and/or audio must only be for personal use and must not be uploaded and/or shared to a posting, blog or tweet on any social media platforms, or to a website.”
