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Letter to Canon USA CEO on NFL credentialing requirement

ASNE president Gilbert Bailon has written to the president and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc., expressing our concerns over the credentialing requirement by the National Football League that news photographers wear vests displaying advertising logos, including Canons. We are requesting that Canon reconsider their decision to thave their logo displayed on the vest.

ASNE president Gilbert Bailon has written to the president and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc., expressing our concerns over the credentialing requirement by the National Football League that news photographers wear vests displaying advertising logos, including Canons. We are requesting that Canon reconsider their decision to thave their logo displayed on the vest.

The text of the letter follows:

July 30, 2007

Yoroku Adachi
President and CEO
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042

Dear Mr. Adachi:

As president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors, I write to raise an issue of concern to our members.

We have in recent days addressed this issue with the National Football League and thought it appropriate that we bring the matter directly to your attention as both an NFL promotional partner and provider of equipment used by many in our newspaper photo departments.

We are chagrined that the NFL has chosen as a matter of credentialing for its games to require that our photographers wear vests that include advertising logos, including one for Canon.

We expect that you understand how important it is to our integrity as providers of news and information to both be and appear to be neutral observers. Labeling on apparel detracts from the appearance of independence and, frankly, damages our integrity.

I've attached a copy of our letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for your information. As you may know, a number of other journalistic organizations have also written the commissioner on this matter, including the National Press Photographers Association, Associated Press Managing Editors and the Radio Television News Directors Association. Our request is that you reconsider the decision to have your logo placed on these vests. Your insistence on a change will help us maintain the trust of our readers as unbiased recorders of events.

Please be in touch if you have questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Gilbert Bailon
President

cc: Roger Goodell

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