Australian newspapers boycott Rugby World Cup

Most of the main Australian newspapers will not send photographers or journalists to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup (RWC). These are newspapers owned by Murdoch and Fairfax. The Australian Associated Press is also planning to boycott the RWC.

One reason is because they are not allowed to use any advertising on their website when they report about the RWC. Another reason is they are not allowed to use much video of games on their websites because some TV channels have paid to show the games.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) will only allow advertising from their sponsors around the rugby field. Not other advertising is allowed.

The IRB hoped that reporting about the RWC in Australia would encourage more people to enjoy rugby instead of Australian Rules football and Rugby League.

The RWC boss is in Australia at the moment. He hopes to bring more Australians to New Zealand for the games. There are still many seats not sold.

Vocabulary
main – most important
boycott – refuse to be involved in any way
encourage – persuade people to watch or play rugby
journalist – also called a reporter

Pronunciation

Note the pronunciation of ‘photographers’. The stress is on the second syllable. However, the stress is on the first syllable for ‘photograph’.

Note the pronunciation of ‘advertising’ with the stress on the first syllable. However, in NZ English we stress the second syllable of ‘advertisement’ with a short ‘i’ in the the third syllable. American English stresses the third syllable.

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