THE ROLE THE MEDIA PLAYS IN SPORT

 The media has a huge role in the world of sport, they are the ones that ask the tough questions and gather key information which in turn, turn it into a story for us fans to read and observe. 

Media outlets all across the world have had to shift their planning as a result of the pandemic just to do their job and because in person interviews have had to be revised, they have had to go at their work via tele conferencing or even via radio outlets. The hard hitting questions usually come from the different media sources and it is a race to get the story out to us the viewer but does the media go too far sometimes? In some instances, they do, but in some instances they are just doing their job. 

Creating headlines is the job of the media, to stir up discussion and create a following for their work by getting the juiciest story published and out for mass distribution.  Their are different ways that we get our media and they include: 

- Television (local and national, freeviews, subscription or pay-per-view, interactive, on-demand, red button services, satellite or cable)

- Radio (local and national, analogue/ digital. public and commercial) 

- Press (Newspapers- local, national, daily, weekly; magazines- general, specialist; books- technical, biographies and novels)

- Films- cinema, television, DVD and online

- Internet- websites, blogs, video channels, live streaming, online sports channels

- Social Media- Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Flicker, TikTok

The above list is just a few areas where you can gather media from. 

Media has a lot of influences, both positive and negative when it comes to sport. Consider the inspiring images from the Paralympic Games and how they change people's perception of people with disabilities in society. Then compare that to the media coverage of athletes who are perceived to have 'failed' in some way. 

The following are influences that the media have on society at large: 

- Raise awareness of sport

- Promote healthy active lifestyles

- Showcase sports' positive values

- Present positive and inspiring role models

- Motivate people to take part in sport

- Setting high standards for performance

- Providing examples of skills and tactics

- Publicize a variety of sports and activities 

- Make  certain sports more fashionable/appealing 

- Introduce new supporters to a sport

- Educate spectators through analysis

- Celebrate efforts and successes

- Give sport a high status in society

-  Give people a sense of belonging

- Generate revenue and attract investment for sport 

- Generate revenue for charitable causes

As their are many positives that the media play in sport, their are also negative influences.               some of them include but are not limited to the following: 

- Intrude on performers' privacy

- Undermine people confidence and careers

- Showcase negative values and behaviors

- Undermine officials and their decisions

- Dictate event schedules and availability 

- After competition rules and traditions

- Edit coverage so it is incomplete or biased

- Obstruct spectators and participants

- Reduce spectator attendance at live events

- Reinforce inequalities by limiting coverage to traditional sports or social groups and under representing women's, black and minority ethnic (BME) and disability sport

- Incite distrust and prejudice between groups

- Discourage activity by encouraging armchair spectators (spectators that are critical of officiating)

The media plays many roles in sport, some positive and some negative for the business landscape. Sometimes having too many media sources that you can get information from can seem to be information overload and now a days us the fans have many different avenues that we can voice our displeasure on. We have to be cautious how we use media and what we use it for when it comes to sport understand that media plays a huge factor in the world of sport, how we educate ourselves and others around us. If we observe and learn how to use the different media outlets wisely, we can appreciate sport for what it is and enjoy it more. 

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