Seven sorry for AFL story
Channel Seven has apologised for the damage a story on Seven News Melbourne caused amongst AFL ranks.
When Seven ran a story divulging the private medical records of two AFL players it was effectively black-banned by AFL players refusing to participate in interviews. In Melbourne it unleashed a significant PR issue for the network.
Seven has now acknowledged, "the principle that the confidentiality of private medical records between a medical practitioner and his patients was paramount and critical to the treatment and welfare of a patient."
With the Browlow Medal telecast looming, Seven had little choice but to find a satisfactory way of admitting its News team got this one wrong.
Press Release:
The Seven Network today announced it would not publish or re-publish any details regarding a news item that went to air on Friday, August 24, 2007 and would consent to continuing the injunctions issued in the Supreme Court proceedings.
The Seven Network values the co-operation it receives from AFL players and sincerely regrets any damage which has been caused to our relationship with the players by virtue of a story which was aired on Friday 24th August.
The Network accepts the principle that the confidentiality of private medical records between a medical practitioner and his patients was paramount and critical to the treatment and welfare of a patient. The Commercial TV Industry Code of Practice only allows for the broadcasting of such material in any event when there is an identifiable public interest.
AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said he was pleased with Channel Seven’s decision and the AFL and its broadcast partner could continue to work strongly together.
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