There is "not a lot of suspicion" required to wonder whether the silence among the NFL’s broadcast partners about an allegation of HGH use by Broncos QB Peyton Manning is "by mandate or design," according to Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. NFL programs and personalities have "raced to praise Manning as essentially someone who would never do such a thing." But Finn wonders whether there would be "such radio silence on the story" if the HGH had been sent to Patriots QB Tom Brady and his wife "rather than the Mannings." The media’s "collective underplaying -- if not outright ignoring of the story -- is bewildering." ESPN would "gain credibility by talking about it, and especially by investigating it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/8).
CRYING WOLF? In DC, Valerie Richardson notes Al Jazeera America had "gained a measure of respect among U.S. journalists for its in-depth investigations, a hard-won reputation now at risk" over the report. Analysts in the journalism business have "pointed to a troubling lack of credible sourcing behind the documentary linking top sports figures to performance-enhancing drugs." Some of the "most incendiary accusations are made by one source captured on hidden camera who has since disavowed his statements." Poynter Institute Senior Faculty for Broadcast & Online Journalism Al Tompkins said, "This was a pretty shoddy piece of work. I’m not at all impressed with what I saw in there. To me, it was a report that was sort of premised on a wink and a nod -- 'You know what we mean, right?'" Tompkins: "It’s disappointing to me ... because they have done some pretty reputable work over the last few years" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/8).
