News just in. Russia has 'won' the right to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.In true English World Cup style, there's usually a shortlist of people / causes to blame for any failure. This time round there's been Lord Triesman accusing Russia of bribing referees, the media (more specifically Panorama, and The Times newspaper) and the lack of positive relationship with the FIFA delegates (more specifically Jack Warner / Sepp Blatter / Michel Platini).
But should we really blame a television show broadcast two days before the bid winner is announced? Granted that the timing of an episode featuring bribery and corruption within FIFA clearly isn't what anybody (FIFA or any of the bidding nations) wanted this week, but was it in the public interest?
The public interest is something that has been covered in my PR lectures this week (this is a PR-Centric blog, after all) and I'd be very interested to find out what people actually think should and shouldn't be reported.
If the undercover sting with the suspended FIFA delegates Reynald Temarii and Ados Adamu wasn't an expose by a British newspaper, but instead a bidding host nation, then that would have meant that nation, and not England would have potentially had two extra votes. So In my opinion it was worth uncovering the corruption, if only to draw attention to it.
Whilst the news is still quite galling and sensitive, it is too easy to lash out with accusations of more corruption, especially as Russia and Qatar (who won the 2022 World Cup) are known as quite powerful (in terms of money) nations. Or they could have just delivered a more promising FIFA World Cup offer. It's still far too early to tell.
Is anyone actually to blame for England not winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup? Who?
How far should the media go to offer the 'public interest'?
What do you think about the decisions made by the FIFA committee?
Let me know,
Paul
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that everyone is out there looking for someone to blame. I think some blame did lie with Panaroma and the Times but their corruption exposure was necessary. I just feel their timing was very poor.
With all this corruption talk circulating people have also suggested that Russia and Qatar bribed the committee. I think this also could be possible but is a very audacious claim.
All in all I think it is important for the FIFA committee to review and change their voting system but I dont think we are likely to see that any time soon.
As I am also a PR student at Solent I would be very grateful if you could follow my blog at http://2plus2pr.blogspot.com/
Thanks!