Sep 7, 2007, 15:03 GMT
Paris - A dispute between leading international media groups and rugby authorities remained unresolved Friday on the first day of the rugby World Cup in France.
Leading international news organizations have suspended coverage of the tournament in protest against policies imposed by the International Rugby Board (IRB) regarding media accreditation and rights.
Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa joined other leading news agencies including Reuters, AFP and AP in suspending coverage of the event.
The European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) has joined the agencies in deciding to suspend its photographic coverage.
Most British newspapers did not carry tournament-related pictures Friday while French sports daily L'Equipe also joined the boycott by saying it would not be carrying images of the event.
Representatives of a coalition of media organizations are protesting against media restrictions imposed by the IRB which include limiting the number of pictures that can be published per match.
The tournament kicks off at 1900 GMT when hosts France take on Argentina at the Stade de France.
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