Wriging

Although this Note relates to Formula One, it isn't strictly about the sport, rather than some thoughts on an issue that could have implications further afield.

The FIA are an organisation that, in essence, control Formula One among other motor sports. They are the governing body and work hard at improving safety, passing or updating rules and regulations as well as working within the automobile industry itself, promoting safe driving etc...

However, in my opinion the FIA have lost a lot of respect they once garnered from fans and F1 employees, introducing half-thought measures to control escalating speeds, making poor decisions regarding the investigations and punishments relating to teams who are caught bending the rules and generally getting involved in issues that they really shouldn't be. I would suggest that the majority of F1 fans who are aware of the FIA and its president do not respect the organisation any more.

On Friday, the FIA were given permission to pursue legal action towards the Sunday Times newspaper because of an article published in September 2007. The article was written by one of the sports leading authorities and discusses the issues relating to (at the time) possible sanctions being made towards a high-profile and successful team who were being investigated for obtaining and using confidential data from another team. The article, in my humble opinion, was well-written and simply explains what could happen if certain measures were taken against the offending team. The author also gives possible suggestions as to why the situation had become so important and the implications to the sport as a whole should the worst of punishments be handed out. The title of the column though, is a bit strong.

Fast forward to today and sitting on my right is today's copy of the Sunday Times. Inside, the author of the original article has written again, this time explaining to readers about the possible legal action being made, and how he feels that the FIA are deterring journalists from speaking out against the organisation and its decisions. However, not feeling deterred himself, Brundle asks how the FIA can continue getting away with double-standards relating to their punishment policies. Todays article at TimesOnline.

The author is Martin Brundle, a former participant of the sport and now respected commentator and column writer. As Brundle says in his recent piece, he has "earned the right to have an opinion about the sport". A sport he is indeed, a fan of.

My fear is that Brundle's thoughts are in fact correct, and that writers of Formula One will have to think very carefully about the language they use in the future. Reading the original article again, it is hard to see where the issue lies. The only part of the column that I can see is perhaps a little strong is the title, but within the piece itself Brundle does well to explain his thoughts in an open and honest manner.

While Brundle and The Sunday Times are in a very different league to my little blog, this whole issue has made me think about my writing. I have always tried to offer a balanced view, giving possible arguments for both sides in a situation like this, but also attempting to offer my own opinion. After all, how boring would online media/commentary be if nobody gave their opinion? But it seems, at the moment at least, speaking your mind, despite how intelligently and fair you do it, is considered wrong in the eyes of those who assume control of the topic at hand.

I appreciate that this Note doesn't really do much other than explain some concerns I have and offer some details into a scenario that is rapidly spiraling into the twilight zone. But I felt I should share some of my thoughts with a clever bunch of folk. You can read some more of my ramblings on the subject on my site, and if you have an opinion on journalism, its control or even this particular issue, feel free to add your thoughts - I would be interested to learn where others stand on the thorny issue of voicing opinions without being libelous.