Following wide consultation with its members in response to proposed cuts in publishing rates by The Times and The Sun, the British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies (BAPLA) has recommended to all members affected, that they reject the proposals.

The move follows one-to-one consultations with a range of members who were all united in rejecting these methods of attempting to change publishing rates. BAPLA has also been in wider consultation with its entire membership.


Executive Director Simon Cliffe said: “Although BAPLA and our members recognise the tough market conditions, we consider the proposals unacceptable. Most importantly we are concerned that both The Times and The Sun feel they can dictate the fees they pay for copyright material which is licensed by our members and present cuts as a fait accompli without consultation. This is not how the system works.”

BAPLA Chairman Paul Brown said “If a BAPLA member were to walk into a newsagent and demand to pay half the cover price of the Times, they would be laughed out of the shop. Put in this perspective, one can see that these proposals are both outrageous and unreasonable. “



Note for Editors:
BAPLA, The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies, represents nearly four hundred members from the picture industry, including all the major news and production agencies in the UK, and has been a trade body since 1975.

Email: enquiries@bapla.org.uk

Telephone: 020 7713 1780