Ariana Grande’s Sweetener Tour began earlier this month and in the terms and conditions demand that all photographers must give ownership to Grande. In addition, all photos used can only be shared once given expressed written permission from the artist.

In reply, fifteen news outlets released an open letter that such astringent claims disenfranchise media representation.  The organizations, represented by the General Counsel Michael H. Osterreicher of the National Press Photographers Association, called for revisions that “better recognizes and values the work of visual artists with the same respect we assume she has for the rights of musicians and the worth of their songs”.

This is yet another example of how music publication is struggling to stay objective and uncompromised in a space where musicians curate their own public image. In the social media age, an artist has the ability to share photos from their phone and because of increased engagement with their audience this way, formal media publication no longer has dominion in artist-to-audience communication.

American Society of Media Photographers

American Society of News Editors

Associated Press

Associated Press Managing Editors

Association of Alternative Newsmedia

The Buffalo News

First Look Media Works, Inc., publisher of The Intercept

Freedom of the Press Foundation

Gannett Company, Inc.

Los Angeles Times Communications LLC.

New York News Publishers Association

The New York Times Company

News Media Alliance

Radio Television Digital News Association

Society of Professional Journalists

Read Grande’s Terms and Conditions here

Read the NPPA’s response here