Olympic Photo Coverage Fair to Female Athletes

Abstract

A content analysis of four Florida dailies and one national newspaper during the 2000 Games shows that newspaper editors included fair numbers of women in Olympic photos and chose photos that depicted female athletes in a realistic manner.

The Women’s Olympics? A Gender Analysis of NBC’s Coverage of the 2012 London Summer Games

“…In the same vein, the focus of reports on women's sports has been found to be placed on their appearance and private lives rather than the athletic aspect of the sport (Bissell & Duke, 2007;Hardin, Chance, Dodd, & Hardin, 2002;Jones, 2006). Finally, analyses of the Olympic games since 2000 have shown differences in how commentators analyze success or failure by gender.…”

The Effects of Sports Media Exposure on College Students' Rape Myth Beliefs and Intentions to Intervene in a Sexual Assault

“…Some recent research, however, indicates female athletes may receive more media coverage in international sporting competitions (Hardin et al, 2002;Jones & Greer, 2012). Still, many scholars argue the invisibility of female athletes in media coverage amounts to what Tuchman referred to as ''symbolic annihilation'' (e.g., Bishop, 2003).…”

“…In 2000, Messner, Dunbar, and Hunt identified a consistent ''televised sports manhood formula'' in sports programming (including sports events, news programs, and commercials) that promoted and reinforced the hegemonic masculine ideals of male domination and female sexual objectification (p. 380). It is important to note, however, recent studies found men and women participating in international sporting events, such as snowboarding, were equally perceived with masculine and feminine characteristics (Hardin, Chance, Dodd, & Hardin, 2002;Jones & Greer, 2012). Yet, in most sports media men are typically the central focus (Messner et al, 2000;Sabo & Jansen, 1992).…”

Online coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games on the ABC, BBC, CBC and TVNZ

“…Historically, the print media have perpetuated sexual difference by portraying female athletes as passive participants in sports considered feminine (Hardin, Chance, Dodd, & Hardin, 2002). The ABC and BBC continued this trend.…”