Cousins and language in the media

[Dan Warna]

this I think is an important change in language this weekend.

up until today we have been discussing ice, and similar drugs and we have been saying that cousins has a problem, but most posters have been very careful in alluding or to make a definitive statement saying cousins has an ice addiction.

today at 12.26 on ABC the host said definitive words with regards to cousins admitting to an ice addiction and linked it to marion jones admission.

today in the hun whihc I read about 6pm after returning from a day out with the kids also made a definitive statement regarding ice affecting ben cousins.

now to the best of my knowledge there has been NO DEFINITIVE statement regarding what ben cousins 'substance abuse' problem is.

has somehow the assumption become fact in the media?

IMO for weeks there has been posters suspended from bigfooty and posts deleted from every moderated forum regarding definitive statements about cousins and statements about another player and a group of players which is the subject of legal action and a permanent court injunction.

now i know the truth can be a defence (but not hte only defence, nor is a pure defence as 'public interest' is a counter to the defence of truth) against a libel charge, however access to information under an injunction may be difficult and expensive to obtain.

IMO the position of the AFL, courts, etc is coming to an ugly head and damaging to our great game.

we all know who these people are but cannot discuss, we all have heard what is going who is what is etc, but its said in PMs, talking in bars etc.

now the press is making definitive statements about cousins and he is wielding the courts to silence criticism.

the truth will not set you free, the truth is subjective based on courts, lies, legal action and the rights of the individual against the rights of competiiton against the public interest.