Chapter 13: Media and sport 13.1 Media coverage of elite and mass-participation sport Introduction: Discuss the positive and negative effects of the media on: – Elite sport: sport at the highest level – Mass-participation sport: large-scale competitive and inclusive events.
TASK 13.1 ANSWERS Discuss the impact of media coverage on elite sport. Consider the positives and negatives before reaching your final conclusion. Positives: – Increased sponsorship/revenue/audiences/interest for sport – Creates positive role models and inspires people to participate – Improved player and spectator behaviour e.g. highlighting racism – Inspires national pride and togetherness e.g. Irish rugby team. Negatives: – Loss of privacy/negative publicity and intense pressure on sportspeople – Over-sensationalised events can lead to violence – ‘Win at all costs’ mentality may be promoted – Loss of control as the media may demand changes to rules and the timing of events – There is a biased popularity of a small number of sports – Audiences for elite sport may be reduced by subscription TV instead of ‘free to air’.
PRACTICE QUESTION ANSWERS Q1. Explain what is meant by elite sport. – Sport at the highest level of competition – Professional sport or major championships such as the Olympics. Q2. Discuss how elite sport differs from mass-participation sport. – Mass-participation sport is on a large scale. – Mass-participation sport involves inclusive events and is not elitist. – Example: the Dublin Marathon is open to everyone. Q3. The media often provide coverage of large-scale competitive events aimed at all levels of competition and all categories of participant. Describe the effect of the media on massparticipation sports events. – The media helps increase income and participation levels through publicity. – The media may try to influence the event e.g. start time. – The media may highlight negative issues around the event. – Spectator numbers may be reduced if it is televised. Q4. The media focus much of their attention on elite sport. Examine the effect of this coverage on elite sportspeople and the sport. Sportspeople – Increased earning potential e.g. sponsorship – Improved player behaviour due to media scrutiny – Loss of privacy/negative publicity and intense pressure on sportspeople – ‘Win at all costs’ mentality may be promoted. The sport – Increased sponsorship/revenue/audiences/interest for sport – Creates positive role models and inspires people to participate – Improved spectator behaviour e.g. highlighting racism – Over-sensationalised events can lead to violence – Loss of control as the media may demand changes to rules and the timing of events – Audiences for elite sport may be reduced by subscription TV instead of ‘free to air’. 140
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