To Publish, or Not To Publish?
To Publish, or Not To Publish?
By Oliver Sparrow, writing from London
The Daily Mail’s exposé of Lord Triesman’s comments on the 15th May raises a number of interesting issues about the media in Britain, and its relationship with the population at large. It is a story mired with backstabbing, hypocrisy and corruption – all set against the backdrop of the usual patriotic fervour which consumes the country before an appearance at a major football finals. The story’s publication has led to widespread public furore, largely because of the dent it has impacted upon England’s bid to hold the 2018 World Cup.
There is good reason behind this public outrage. The comments made by Triesman were recorded in secret. They were private thoughts not intended for public airing. There is an argument that views that he may or may not have expressed in a very private sphere should not impact upon his professional role. Indeed, at the press conference after England’s 2018 bid book submission, which was aired live on the BBC Sport website, Triesman was asked by a journalist what he thought of the rival bids from Spain and Russia. He replied by stating that it would be wrong of him to pass judgement on other bids because he might say something that journalists would get hold of and that he may later come to regret. Perhaps Lord Triesman should consider forging a new career as a clairvoyant?
