PBA media face test

PRESS relations or freedom are not usually major issues in the sports page.

Years ago, there was an incident in American football when a female reporter was not allowed near an all-male locker room for all the politically incorrect reasons you can imagine. This was eventually resolved and some guidelines eventually allowed the reporter to do her job.

In general, games and contests are played and then performances of the teams and the players are reported accordingly for readers who seek clarity and understanding of the sports they follow. Inside stories of teams and the personalities are also fair game, as long as there are no rules of decency or laws violated. The athletes and coaches know that they are public figures and subject to the scrutiny of the domain they play in.

Thus the current PBA controversy involving the report of Snow Badua of Spin.ph on the alleged relationship between former coach and current San Miguel basketball executive Alfrancis Chua and model Abby Poblador finds the league and the media that follow it in an awkward position.

Commissioner Chito Narvasa has withdrawn the league accreditation of Badua, withdrawing all the privileges the league had accorded him, including access to the media center and the reporters’ row at courtside. The ruling also prohibits players and personalities from talking with Badua.

Interestingly and intriguingly, the controversy erupted on the heels of what seemed to be a cordial PBA Press Corps awards night two weeks ago. Narvasa was in his first awards night and had spoken of creating an atmosphere of openness during his term.

The league reacted to Badua’s frequent against-the-grain articles capped by this piece on Chua that has had social media abuzz. Badua has been like a gadfly to the league and has not been without brushes with several personalities. There’s no question, though, that he has a lively following in social media.

The issue should no longer be limited to about who is right or wrong. If ever, there are other individuals, parties and bodies that can best determine what further actions to take on the dramatis personae of the controversy. Spin.ph has stood by Badua while the PBA has opted to shield its ranks from any further contact with the aggressive reporter.

The issue should now help determine what kind of relationship the media will have with the league. The league has been supportive of the press corps and other media but does find it stressful when controversies explode. The press has to cover the league in its entirety, being a public enterprise and followed closely by fans everywhere.

A relationship with the media has to expect controversy, especially now in a 24/7 information environment where fans can, to a large extent, participate in the news cycle. The bond should encourage transparency where the league can clearly explain its position on issues while expecting the negative impact of an issue to be presented as well by media in the interest of balance.

No enterprise or family ever wants a controversy or a dilemma, but they are part of the game called life and must be dealt with.