Kuala Lumpur: Any time when an athlete is linked to a failed drug test, it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this, and the media should wait until the facts are in, before start pointing fingers at someone. That said, there is something disturbing about the demagogic efforts to jump into conclusions in the case of a badminton player tested positive for doping.
While it is understandable for media to spend extra effort building hype around the doping incident so that they can drive more traffic to their web sites or can generate more newspaper sales, it is regrettable that some irresponsible and unethical media in China such as Zhang Hongda of CCTV China went as far as making up stories by stating former Malaysian badminton player Wong Choong Hann has confirmed that the B sample for the implicated athlete who failed the drug test was also tested positive. This false misleading claim has prompted Wong Choong Hann to clarify on his Facebook that he has never talked to any media from China about the doping incident.
According to medical expert, if a sample of the athlete who involved in the incident is tested positive, it is 99.9% impossible for the B sample to be tested negative. Nevertheless, media shall not jump to conclusions without having 100% evidence and information. Former Dutch Open champion Sairul Amar Ayob of Malaysia was tested positive for Dexamethasone in 2006, but he was acquitted of doping charges that could have led to a two year ban of the Malaysian shuttler, after his B sample turned out to be negative.
Those that are under suspicion should be considered innocent until the evidence is gathered, sifted, and adjudicated. Before this whole thing get out of hand, BadmintonPlanet.com would like to urge all media to commit to accurate, fair, sensitive, and responsible coverage regarding this issue.
