Online crew-finding service NewsCrews.co.uk has been forced to close down because of reluctance from broadcasters to pay for the service and the unwillingness of crews to pay to register.
Online crew-finding service NewsCrews.co.uk has been forced to close down because of reluctance from broadcasters to pay for the service and the unwillingness of crews to pay to register.

The site was launched in 2001 as a tool for news professionals. It listed known professionals with many members of the Guild of Television Cameramen and the Institute of Broadcast Sound represented, including specialists in sport, war reporting, underwater and aerial filming.

Founders John and Lesley Venables, a former journalist and a BBC newsroom organiser respectively, had about 250 crews that could be accessed online.

John Venables explained: 'We regret having to close the site but, in the current recession, it was not viable to keep it going.'

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