Men’s sports appear to be more popular with media outlets than women’s, but is this down to the fans or the press creating this narrative? Let’s jump into the question of whether there is still a gender bias in sports journalism.
A major feat, later forgotten
Despite the fact the Lionesses made history and won the Women’s European Championship in 2022, the media couldn’t help reporting on the misery of the male football team after missing out yet again on bringing football home just a couple of years later and suggesting that the nation had been waiting since 1966 for another victory.
Women’s football is gaining more recognition in the media, which is helping to inspire girls and challenge stereotypes, but some media outlets still feel the need to use their profiles to expose the gender inequalities that exist in the world of sports. Why isn’t the media celebrating these immense victories in sports as a great achievement for our nation rather than separating them into categories?
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Standing shoulder to shoulder
In tennis, meanwhile, broadcasters once again made the mistake of congratulating Andy Murray for his two gold medals at the 2016 Olympics before being reminded by the sportsman himself that he was not the first to reach this great feat. Imagine having a combined eight gold medals like the Williams sisters and seemingly getting no recognition for the achievement. This prime example shows how the world of journalism can be to blame for subtly shaping gender bias across mainstream sports.
How to change the narrative
While gender bias has been a real issue in sports journalism, this doesn’t mean we can’t change the narrative collectively. By using a conscious effort to celebrate and commiserate all sportspeople, all wins, and all defeats in media coverage, we can jointly confront the issue and ensure the new world of sports has integrity, equity, and equality.
