Leo snubs the media

[The Boot]

Police can lay charges of "theft by finding", a wonderful way of penalising scumbags who steal and then later say they "found it .. errr .. in a gutter". Yeah, right. Outside the place it should have been rightfully returned.

What possesses one to think that what they "found" is for sale to the highest bidder, completely escapes me. Yes, there are some things that are in the public interest - and some posters are arguing along those lines. But a player has the right to the laws of natural justice and procedural fairness, like anyone else.

Seven have well and truly stepped over the line this time.

[Nico]

I think it's a no-brainer that it is in the public interest for the names of AFL drug users to be released?!

If a player was drug tested at a booze bus and was found to have used an illicit drug it would have been in the news instantly.

Cousins running from the booze bus was on the news before he got home.

[dimelb]

Apparently it was on the early news, but was not allowed by the 6pm news.

So only old people and kids not doing their homework.

It was on the 6 pm news, gave the club's name but not the players' names. When the time came to repeat the headlines it was omitted because they had been told of the injunction.
Appalling journalism. Confidentiality disregarded. And apparently there has been a meltdown in the ratings as scores of thousands (~60,000 acc to The Age) have switched to Ch 9.
Good on Leo and the others. And even if it was found in the gutter there was a duty to hand it in to the people who lost it, not sell it to the highest bidder - what a slug.

[ScottH]

I saw it on the 6pm news, was sitting in pub before walking to Telstra Dome for the Saints/Weagles match.

Sound wasn't on and I didn't see the 4.30pm news, so I have no idea if the story was changed at all. It was promoted heavily throughout that stupid 'open a suitcase' gameshow with Andrew O'Keefe.

Only going by what I was told. Can't believe everything I guess, that's why I said apprently.

I heard it and read it...mind you I'm old and my daughter ws doing her homework.

Had your hearing aid turn up?

[satchmopugdog]

Apparently it was on the early news, but was not allowed by the 6pm news.

So only old people and kids not doing their homework.

I heard it and read it...mind you I'm old and my daughter ws doing her homework.

[Damien]

Apparently it was on the early news, but was not allowed by the 6pm news.

So only old people and kids not doing their homework.

I saw it on the 6pm news, was sitting in pub before walking to Telstra Dome for the Saints/Weagles match.

Sound wasn't on and I didn't see the 4.30pm news, so I have no idea if the story was changed at all. It was promoted heavily throughout that stupid 'open a suitcase' gameshow with Andrew O'Keefe.

[ScottH]

Was anyone watching?

Apparently it was on the early news, but was not allowed by the 6pm news.

So only old people and kids not doing their homework.

[connolly]

Leo Barry has snubbed a channel seven reporter by telling them he would not answer any questions asked because of the latest drug handling incident. Good on him

Preumably the 7 network is in meltdown not being able to report that Leo is taking it one game at a time and that next weeks game will be approached as a final?

[Sanecow]

Some of the details were broadcast in Melbourne.

Was anyone watching?

[hammo]

The details weren't broadcast though?!

Some of the details were broadcast in Melbourne.

[Sanecow]

The details weren't broadcast though?!

[hammo]

The stuff wasnt stolen,it was found so in my book fair game.

The courts will ultimately determine if it was "found" or stolen. Peronally I don't believe such confidential material would be left in a gutter.

As for the issue itself, I believe Channel 7's behaviour to be reprehensible.

While no-one condones players taking recreational drugs, in the event they are receiving medical help for their problem from a doctor, those patient files should remain confidential. It is not in the public interest to release that material and any ethical journalist would have returned the files without broadcasting the details.

[swantastic]

The stuff wasnt stolen,it was found so in my book fair game.

[Sanecow]

I think you are confusing 'titillation' with 'interest'.

Uh, no. It's a fairly easy chain to follow that Australian tax dollars go to the AFL; AFL funds go to clubs; Club funds go to players. Public interest.

the Fair Trading Act which provides that: “A person must not, in trade or commerce, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive”

The Australian public is spending millions of dollars supporting AFL clubs. Not divulging that some of your club's players are on drugs is IMO "conduct that is misleading".

[Legs Akimbo]

"Medical records are about as private as it gets, except for intimate personal correspondence. It follows that the publishing of them must serve an equivalently strong public interest."

It's all about relativities. I think you are confusing 'titillation' with 'interest'.