I’ve not weighed in on the whole issue of how Olympic Swimmer Quah Zheng Wen was being (rather unfairly) singled out by TNP Sports Journalist Leonard Thomas for not giving replies to the media.
I stayed out of it, mostly because it was pretty clear cut: Journalist wants a quote, journalist couldn’t get a good quote, journalist uses only platform available to him to bitch about having a hard time, public call him the heck out for being insensitive.
Also, I’ve been busy.
We’re all wrong, and Myopic!
But no, the Gods of Social Media refuse to give me rest, because along comes a very special snowflake on my feed. Sitting at his desk in Shanghai, Alywin Chew decides that we are all wrong, and that Leonard Thomas is correct. He also proceeds to call everyone who disagrees are jumping on a bandwagon, and are “myopic“. No, really.
“Leonard is right, because he’s been around for ages”
Yes. Alywin actually thinks that a person who is around longer, is just automatically right.
REALLY? You’re telling me that he can’t be wrong because he’s been around for a long time? Guess who else has been around all his life, but is just absolutely wrong about life? This guy right here:
Please don’t fellate your ex-boss just because you might have to come back to Singapore to work. It really doesn’t help.
“Athletes are OBLIGED TO!”
Ok lah Alywin. I’m also just going to be blunt – athletes are NOT OBLIGED to give you shit. Don’t believe it? Ok, here’s what the IOC says:
“All athletes must pass through the Mixed Zone when leaving the field of play. They are encouraged to participate in interviews, however they are not obliged to answer questions or participate in interviews if they do not wish to do so“
“Mixed Zones will be operational during all open training sessions held in competition venues and will operate under the same rules as during competition i.e. athletes must leave the field of play through the Mixed Zone but are not obliged to talk with the media“
But of course, a good hypocrite has got to learn to backpedal like a pro right? When it was highlighted to him, here’s what he said:
Eh. So are the athletes “OBLIGED TO” or you just “see it as an obligation” now? Your backpedalling abilities are amazing, remarkable, maybe even Olympic Calibre. You also really deserve a slap, and not just any old slap…
Yes. You deserve a good ol’ Kimchi Slap.
“We just need a few minutes of their time…”
Yes, you need two minutes of their time. Yes, you’re there to do your job, which is to report the facts.
First of all, part of a Journalist’s job is to get the quote. If he gets a good quote, he’s good. If he can’t get a good quote, then maybe he’s a shit journalist who should try harder.
Secondly, Leonard Thomas didn’t report the facts about Quah. He bitched Quah out on the only platform he could.
Alywin then takes a giant shit on other sites
This is the part which just reeks of elitism. He claims to be defending Leonard Thomas, but at the same time, decides to call The Independent, Mothership, and Mr. Brown names. It’s Alywin clearly thinks that being a “real journalist” means he’s better than others.
Alywin isn’t a “Real Journalist”, so spare me.
Alywin, you didn’t fact check. You failed to cite real sources. Then you decided that you were better than everyone else. You aren’t a journalist…
Look, Alywin. What Leonard Thomas is doing, is not helping any of our athletes. He’s disparaging a 19 year old boy who’s swimming on the world’s largest sporting stage, and you’re complicit in helping Leonard do that. Both you and Leonard should be ashamed of yourselves for blaming a boy, because you couldn’t do your own job properly.
So let’s just list it down for you clearly:
- Athletes are not obliged to give journalists anything.
- Leonard Thomas was throwing a bitch fit on his column.
- Alywin Chew is 100% factually wrong in this case.
- Both are grown men who can’t deal with a 19 year old boy.
Alywin, the conclusion is pretty clear: You’re a hypocrite, and thank heavens you’re no longer a reporter, because no one would touch your work with a 10 foot pole.
