News Corp Australia has announced it will be devoting its best storytelling resources to covering the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast over the next two weeks.
News Corp’s team of more than 40 journalists, photographers and digital experts will provide comprehensive coverage of the event for the Gold Coast, and for Australia.
Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, said: “We will provide the expert analysis and insights on the winners, the losers and their stories behind the stories, in print and online.
“However, for this games, we will be doing it differently.
“Our teams will be reporting from the stands, sitting among the spectators and fans, and providing real-time coverage.
“Unlike previous games, we won’t be in the seating reserved for media, but among the crowds, and with the families and friends of our athletes.
“News Corp Australia is doing it differently because for these games; we have not signed the formal accreditation process imposed by the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.
“GOLDOC accreditation would prevent us from reporting the games in the way that a modern audience accessing our content across platforms expects.
“We are not signing up to antiquated and restrictive rules that are designed to prevent us covering the Games in the way our audiences expect.
“These rules would restrict us from using video for news reporting in the way Australian law allows us. It also restricts our ability to tell the stories of the games in innovative ways that are expected of any news organisation.
“By not accepting these restrictive rules, we can cover the games in the manner we believe will give our consumers the best ever coverage of a major event.
“Our decision to withdraw from the formal accreditation process does not lessen our commitment to providing the best coverage of the games.
“We are totally committed and even more determined to work harder and aim higher than ever before in how we deliver the news to our audiences.
“We intend to cover the games and deliver high-impact reporting. We have an absolute obligation to our readers and advertisers to do so.
“Great storytelling will always be at the heart of what we do; we will tell these stories in a myriad of ways, connecting with readers through daily blogs, tailored video segments, social media and through our Sky News and Fox Sports broadcast channels.”
Part of News Corp’s commitment to the Commonwealth Games is the official 2018 Pin Collection available with News Corp newspapers nationally.
The collection features five pins, each showcasing Borobi (the games’ mascot) playing a different sport.
Gold Coast Bulletin editor Ben English said collecting the pins was a great way for Aussie kids to get involved in the games and support their sporting idols.
“This year marked the first time in the history of a major multi-sport event that an equal number of medal events for men and women would be held,” he said.
“Our pin collection features five of the most high-profile sports and, in part, is a nod to women’s sporting achievements. These are among the highest participation and most popular sports played by women and girls across Australia.”
There are 22 participating newspapers in the official Commonwealth Games Pin Collection, including The Courier-Mail, The Daily Telegraph, The Advertiser, the Herald Sun, the Gold Coast Bulletin, the Townsville Bulletin, the Cairns Post, and the Geelong Advertiser.
The campaign is being supported by print and digital advertising across all participating mastheads, together with a social media and PR campaign.
