Adjudication No. 392 (January 1989) [1989] APC 4

ADJUDICATION No. 392 (January 1989)

Mrs Lyn Douglass complains to the Australian Press Council concerning an article which appeared in the Sunraysia Daily of 4 October 1988 "Athletes should be able to use drugs - Sylvia". The article is an interview with a Mildura power lifter, Rod Sylvia. Mr Sylvia is reported as stating that it was impossible to stop the now widespread use of drugs in sport and that it would be better to let athletes use then provided they were strictly monitored. Nevertheless, Mr Sylvia does say that no one should ever use drugs of any kind but that society is unable to stop the use of drugs and alcohol.

Mrs Douglass states that as a parent of two children who recently started "Little Aths" she must wonder about the long-term ramifications. "How can a newspaper get away with printing pro-drug propaganda of the kind enclosed?".

The editor states that the report attracted several letters most of which were published, one with an editor's comment in reply to two critical letters. In the comment the editor says that the newspaper has never and would never support the use of drugs in sport. He then asks whether it would be responsible of the free press in this nation to ignore the issue entirely. "If we refused to report on issues of crime and violence would these acts against man just go away? Would child abuse and incest cease to exist if the free press did not report on these issues? Hardly likely".

The Council does not think that the newspaper erred in presenting the views of Mr Sylvia. Similar views, even of those within the medical profession, have already been aired in the national media. Further, the Council does not think that the style of reporting, and the headline used indicates the newspaper's support for Mr Sylvia's position. In publishing contrary views and criticism through the letters to the editor column and in presenting its own views the newspaper had not acted improperly and the complaint is dismissed.