Sports Reporting and Journalistic Principles

Football on television: how has coverage of the Cup Finals in Norway changed from 1961 to 1995?

“…In my analysis, there is no evidence of 'traps' that may question the quality and honest attitude of sports journalism (Horky and Stelzner, 2013). The reason for this may be that, in some cases in the 1970s and 1980s, formal journalistic conventions and production guidelines within NRK constrained the use of entertainment techniques.…”

“…Sport journalism, as a particular field of interest, has been analysed by, for instance, Helland (2003), Boyle (2006) and Horky and Stelzner (2013). Studies by Genovese (2010), Schultz and Wei (2013) and Vogan (2013) have been particular interesting in my case, as these consider how the work of television sports reporters has changed in a historical perspective.…”

Sports News, Commentary and Interviews, From the Other Side: Journalists Seen Through the Eyes of Athletes

“…Weedon et al also cite (2018, pp. 647-648) six principles from Horky and Stelzner (2013) that introduce another perspective: 1) "Avoid nationalistic and chauvinistic writing-and avoid racial, religious or political defamation or discrimination"; 2) "champion a humane, doping-and corruption-free sporting environment"; 3) "to protect their journalistic impartiality and turn down gifts that could undermine their independent status"; 4) "consider consequences of reporting on individuals' lives"; 5) "thoroughly [research] articles," and 6) "[be] transparent in criticism of others." Then Weedon et al (2018, p. 661) introduce their own seven ideals: 1) "more and/or more appropriately contextualized reporting"; 2) "more critical media work"; 3) "more balanced, unbiased and neutral reporting"; 4) "more equitable coverage of different sports and athletes"; 5) "more equitable representation in the newsroom"; 6) "more socially responsible and educative coverage"; and 7) "journalist reflexivity.…”

Mapping media accountability instruments in sports journalism

“…These recommendations emphasize the public function of sports journalism and advocate for non-discrimination. The VDS also highlights the importance of maintaining independence, respecting individuals' privacy and ensuring accuracy (Horky;Stelzer, 2013).…”

“…Given these considerations, in the field of sports journalism, extensive literature has shed light on a series of problem areas that have occurred frequently and that have challenged the normative standards and conventional criteria of the profession. These widespread questionable practices include the blurring of the frontiers between journalistic genres; the pervasiveness of rumour; the "tyranny" of a narrow range of sports; sensationalism; the use of warlike language; the lack of a public service mission; the inequalities in relation to gender, race and disability, and the lack of variation in the news sources employed Whiteside, 2009;Horky;Stelzner, 2013;Rojas-Torrijos, 2011b). As Oates and Pauly (2007, p. 333) emphasize, "sports coverage routinely violates the ethical norms by which the profession asks to be judged".…”