Washington Post reporter Christine Brennan has been "banned"
from covering U.S. Figure Skating Association events because
USFSA officials do not approve of what she has been writing,
according to USA TODAY. The USFSA says Brennan, author of
"Inside Edge, A Revealing Journey into the Secret World of Figure
Skating," will "not be offered media services normally offered to
members of the media at USFSA events." The governing body also
stated: "It is our opinion that Ms. Christine Brennan no longer
is reporting figure skating on an impartial basis and has
interjected her personal opinions into her coverage of the sport
whether it be for additional sales of her book or her notion that
she is the protector of the sport of figure skating." Washington
Post Sports Editor George Solomon said if Brennan is not
credentialed for future events, they will "seek to reverse their
decision" (Debbie Becker, USA TODAY, 4/16).
ANYTHING GOES? The MN Court of Appeals has blocked a
defamation suit against Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist and
WCCO radio personality Sid Hartman brought by a former orthopedic
consultant to the Univ. of Minnesota. The court noted that
sports commentary "is marked not only by spontaneity, but by the
often exaggerated and uncareful exchange of vehemently held
opinions." The suit claimed Hartman said the high number of
injuries on the school's '82 football team was a reflection of
Hunter's surgical abilities (AP/Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/16).
