We are monitoring the quality of equality in terms of the visual representation in sport this week across three national newspapers and one online source, all of them in Ireland, all of them committed to presenting a fair representation.
This morning has seen a marginal improvement with the imagery from the European Indoor Athletics and Katie Taylor’s fight announcement nudging the proportion up to ten per cent female representation.
That’s right ten per cent. During Women in Sport Week while an artificial construct that should be seen as just one week in 52 but which is nevertheless a reminder that as a sporting media we really need to do better.
It is only a snapshot and we do not give any extra weight to larger over smaller images (which would make the comparison more negative) but what we have found so far has been eye-opening for anyone who thinks that equality is just around the corner.
The numbers so far have been consistently and crushingly disappointing with a total now of 350 pictures of males either competing in or in leadership roles within sport as opposed to 39 of females.
It could and no doubt would be argued that the majority of sport that is in the spotlight is male biased but a quick look at The Guardian newspaper online on Wednesday morning showed that of 15 images on their sports homepage, 10 were male and five female. Was that just a once off. On Thursday morning the numbers were 10 images of males involved in sport and eight of women. Today it is 15 Male and 2 women.
Sport Ireland is currently undertaking a much more detailed and nuanced analysis of general media coverage and the portrayal of the genders in sport.
Perhaps that will serve to change perspectives but there is certainly change needed based on what we are seeing so far in our very simple eye test.
Running Total
350 pictures of males involved in sport vs 39 of women.
90% Male Vs 10% Female
Friday
Irish Times 10 pictures of male sport vs 2 picture of female sport.
Irish Independent 18 pictures of male sport vs 3 pictures of female sport.
Irish Examiner 14 Pictures of male sport vs 3 pictures of female sport.
Thursday
Irish Times 15 pictures of male sport vs 1 picture of female sport.
Irish Independent 22 pictures of male sport vs 1 pictures of female sport.
Irish Examiner 18 Pictures of male sport vs 3 pictures of female sport.
The 42 23 Pictures of male sport vs 5 pictures of female sport
Wednesday
Irish Times 11 pictures of male sport vs 3 picture of female sport.
Irish Independent 18 pictures of male sport vs 1 pictures of female sport.
Irish Examiner 19 Pictures of male sport vs 3 pictures of female sport.
The 42 23 Pictures of male sport vs 1 pictures of female sport
Tuesday
Irish Times 20 pictures of male sport vs 1 picture of female sport.
Irish Independent 13 pictures of male sport vs 2 pictures of female sport.
Irish Examiner 21 Pictures of male sport vs 1 pictures of female sport.
The 42 23 Pictures of male sport vs 0 pictures of female sport
Monday
Irish Times 29 pictures of male sport vs 4 pictures of female sport.
Irish Independent 24 pictures of male sport vs 1 picture of female sport.
Irish Examiner 28 Pictures of male sport vs 2 pictures of female sport.
The 42 24 Pictures of male sport vs 0 pictures of female sport
Further Reading for Sport for Business members: Women in Sport Week – Key Activities Across Seven Days
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
The purpose of calling out mainstream media is not to berate them but to point out the fact that culturally the things we do and the behaviours we accept are the real barometer of change. This is Women in Sport Week. They should be making more of an effort.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
Each day this week we are highlighting the daily pillar that Sport Ireland is shining a spotlight on.
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