AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan believes there’s merit in Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley’s call to ban journalists in certain circumstances.
Buckley made the extraordinary suggestion after Brad Hardie sensationally claimed on 6PR that Fremantle coach Ross Lyon had sounded out the Pies about the possibility of coaching the club.
The outraged Dockers took the unusual step of denouncing the “spurious claims” in a press release, with Magpies president Eddie McGuire labelling Hardie’s contention “a total lie” on the Nine Network.
Hardie, a Brownlow Medal winner, has stood by his claim.
But McLachlan will consider the possibility of stripping journalists of their AFL media accreditation in light of the episode.
“I actually thought it was quite a good idea,” McLachlan said on 3AW on Friday.
“There’s a responsibility everywhere, our players, coaches, officials, everyone is held incredibly accountable every day. We are also talking about people’s livelihood and careers and this allegation talked to integrity.
“The thought that someone (could) actually just make something up that has such significant ramifications.
“I think there almost has to be an accountability for that and taking accreditation away seems to me to be a fairly logical outcome of that, so I reckon that it is worth looking at.”
When it was suggested the measure was akin to censorship, McLachlan said the penalty wouldn’t be imposed for an unpopular opinion.
But he conceded there would be difficulties in proving beyond doubt that a journalist had fabricated a story.
“That’s the issue, how do you prove it to be true?” he said.
“That they lied or it’s not true? So you end up in a bit of a nil-all draw. But the serious accountability for people making stuff up should hold.”
Don Freo
Guest
Nope.That's Fyfey!
Don Freo
Guest
Nah! Bucks' response was perfect. When Hardie understands the disdain in which he is held by relevant footy people, he is cut to the quick. Hardie is the kind of bloke who will end up sitting alone on Brownlow night still claiming he stands by his claims while the others have their Brownlows in their pockets. His, of course, will be in the vault at Cashies.
Karma Miranda
Guest
I endorsed nothing Don Freo, merely made a coment about the Status Quo. Looks like you're making stuff up like Hardie does. Rather than go on the attack, perhaps Buckley should have asked Hardie to reveal his source, as he's not bound by any Journalistic code of ethics. This would have avoided Buckley looking like Hardie had gotten under his skin, and would have relieved McLachlan of the urge to threaten action that's well beyond his control.
truetigerfan
Guest
WOW! Really? Is that sarcasm, Peter? Or an attempt at being funny? If it's serious well gee . . . what can I say?
BigAl
Guest
But Gil is the most powerful man in the AFL and one of the most powerful in Australian sport !
truetigerfan
Guest
Objectiveness is not The Scribe's strong suit, especially when it concerns Collingwood!
Don Freo
Guest
Peter, what do you hear Langdon saying that discredits him in your eyes? He does not engage in the rumours and often actively dismisses them. He is an outstanding live commentator (probably the second best going around after Gerard Whately).
Don Freo
Guest
Good grief! All Gil said was that, hmmm, it could be a good idea.
Don Freo
Guest
Brad would never have the hundred to pay it. It will be on some nag that a mate at the pub has "given him the absolute mail" on.
Don Freo
Guest
Hardie has never been correct in his life.
Don Freo
Guest
To be fair, Langdon doesn't do that. He is always challenging Hardie and Hagdorn. Karl is just a great footy observer. I'm sure Karl was instumental in having Hardie was moved on from their joint programme. Hardie has been replaced by the very fair Paul Hasleby. They talk footy now.
Axle and the Guru
Guest
What a lot of crap, I don't like Hardie but he is allowed to say what he thinks or has heard on the grapevine, most people enjoy gossip and how many times has it been correct over the years? Besides it gives us something to talk about and who really cares. The AFL sometimes think they are the Vatican the way they react.
Gordon Smith
Guest
I agree so this will further tarnish his reputation as it should. That is how life works and respect in this world is lost and gained. I am NOT supporting Hardie but if you can not see this as a draconian bully threat by the AFL then I am afraid we are on different wavelengths.
Peter The Scribe
Guest
AD, a simple IQ test with a minimum standard for accreditation would automatically rule out Hardie, Langdon, Aker and Mark "click bait" Robinson.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I'm not even sure what they'd mean by "banning" any such journalist, particularly when most journalists utilise a seperate media outlet to do their journalistic work. As long as a journalist has the platform - and an audience - provided to them, they probably don't require the full access to the AFL to propel these rumours. Hell, in 2017 any such journalist or enterprising media employee - even someone receiving information from uncredited, anonymous, off-the-record "sources" - can just tweet out 140 characters of any weird and wonderful rumour and it can receive traction on the internet. Or, even more likely, a sensationalistic media outlet - I'm looking at FoxFooty or the Herald Sun, or, rarely, even this forum itself - will pick it up and then all of a sudden it's got a much larger audience. As much as I try and respect the media (it's my degree, after all) I really do sometimes despise the sensationalism and the trigger-happiness of modern media. Whatever gets the most clicks or sells the most papers will get a run, and it's why issues like this surface. Ultimately, though, the issue for the AFL here, apart from the fact that it'll be a pretty ineffectual ban, any such "banning" of journos from the AFL will be a largely symbolic gesture, and will probably get the critics amped up in portraying them as a totalitarian organisation resorting to banning journos because of bad press.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It's a bit of a mild and blunt censure really. Plus it is as likely as them applying the staging sanctions. These claims are cheap and easy to make, mostly don't even cost ink these days. Serial offenders can scattergun bodgy rumours and predictions and they're lost and forgotten in the sheer number of them. It'd be useful if you could somehow make them pay a bond on their claims, maybe a hundred bucks say, and if there's no verifiable substance they cough up their dough. Maybe rolling increases to the bond for multiple falsies. Having to put their money where their mouth is, I bet you'd find them doing a bit more l legwork (I.e. their job).
rusty
Roar Rookie
I agree. It is a shame that theroar didn't include the transcript between mclachlan and Mitchell(?) on the radio because to be perfectly frank Mitchell made him look like an amateur. What if down the track Hardie was shown to be correct but has had his accreditation removed?
Don Freo
Guest
So your fear of an imagined trend is your reason to endorse such destabilizing gossip. Fear does have that ability to cripple clear thought.
Don Freo
Guest
He stands by his claim in a "Did!...Did not!...Did!" way. Its just the tantie denial of a boy caught with his hand in a cookie jar.
Karma Miranda
Guest
This whole thing is a microcosm of the overall Standards of the Media in today's Society. Is Hardie even a Journalist? TV, Radio and Print are full to the brim with Former Footballers, ex-Reality TV "Stars" and Standup Comedians; few if any with any Journalistic background. How do you censor someone who's Media Career is built on popluarism and outrage, given their time in the spotlight despite having no training in or requirement to adhere to proper Journalistic Standards? Next thing you know, they'll start coming after Coaches Accreditations...