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Feb 20, 2014 Sports
Dear Editor,
I wish to bring to your attention a set of unwarranted and blasphemous accusations against the media, and indirectly this writer, that were unfortunately attributed to the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) earlier this week.
In an article headlined: “GAPF disciplines Gumendra Shewdas for doping violation”, that appeared on Tuesday, February 18, 2014; the federation in question took a swipe at the media for simply doing its work on the Shewdas scandal.
In the last paragraph of a story reporting on the findings of their investigation into the Shewdas doping issue, the following was attributed to the GAPF: “It considers the matter now closed and hopes all wild speculations, unsavoury name calling, and falsely created perceptions through the use of innuendo from a certain journalist amongst others is brought to and end.”
Mr. Editor, as one who had written extensively on the Shewdas matter, through investigative and analytical means, I feel compelled to respond to the reference that was made, though I was not directly named.
The GAPF must be reminded that the media has unique functions to inform and educate among several others. The GAPF, therefore, should be cognizant of the role of the media as opposed to negatively reacting to being placed under scrutiny for what has been the biggest doping scandal to envelop sport in Guyana.
The federation, since it seeks closure by throwing the last punch, which it had hoped would have knocked out the media, should have gone on to explain where in the various commentaries on the issue it observed “wild speculations, unsavoury name calling, and falsely created perceptions through the use of innuendo…”
Mr. Editor that is a serious accusation that threatens the professionalism of the “certain journalist amongst others” as the GAPF noted. An accusation that the GAPF cannot substantiate; if it could have, it should have gone on to list them.
However, the facts remain that it was the GAPF that failed to inform this nation of the doping discovery even though it was in possession of information since last September/October. It was only until Kaieteur Sport broke the story that the GAPF came out with a low-keyed press conference months after on the subject.
It is also a fact that the GAPF was intent on sweeping the matter under the carpet since no serious disclosures were made until the media publicised the issue. And the list of facts could go on. It is no wonder the GAPF finds itself being offensive to the media since it was the media that exposed at sinister plot to hide the serious details of such a grave matter.
Mr. Editor, the GAPF’s chastisement of the media for doing its work on an infringement that embarrassed Guyana internationally is beyond reproach. The GAPF is never and must never be made to believe it is exempted from examination, especially since it is a public organisation. The GAPF cannot decide for the media when a matter is closed.
Edison Jefford
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