Sports authorities need to put an end to ‘dangerous and unenforceable’ attempts to stop journalists freely reporting from their events, according to News International director of group publishing services Dominic Young.

In a debate on sports rights at the Westminster e-Forum this morning, Young said it was essential that access to high-profile events such as the Olympics were “agreed amicably in advance, not imposed” and said sports bodies derived great benefit from co-operating with the press.

“The news media are increasingly concerned by the trend for event organisers to prevent us doing our job,” he told delegates at the meeting in London today.