LHSAA wants to censor the media

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The Executive Committee also placed an item on the agenda that limits what coaches, players and other school officials may say to the media under the guise of integrity and ethics.

Item No. 23 states: "In an effort to ensure a relationship between (among) coaches, players and other school officials and the media, which will reflect and promote the highest standard of sportsmanship, integrity and ethics, it is expected that coaches, players and other school officials make an effort in their communications with the media to stress the positive displays of sportsmanship demonstrated by student-athletes, coaches, spectators and school officials involved in the contest."

That's a mouthful, but the rule, which on the surface harnesses free speech, would disallow anyone under the school' supervision to criticize game officials or comment about specific decisions of game officials. It calls for school officials to cooperate with the media in the interpretation and clarification of rules and other aspects of athletic competition.

The penalty for violation of this rule would be harsh. It states that any coach or player found in non-compliance will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled contest, including LHSAA post-season games or matches. Subsequent violations would cause disqualification from coaching or playing in the sport for the balance of the sport's season.

The rule, if passed, would place a burden on the media to censor its own questions that may interpreted by the LHSAA as controversial to protect coaches and players from suffering the consequences of this mandate.

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