Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Sharpen your pens - change the world

Or at least the sports bit of it, and more to the point the media coverage of it.

There are probably not adequate words to describe press, TV and radio coverage of women's rugby. We are nearing the end of the most exciting Six Nations ever, and also just had the first Women's Sevens. 20,000 teenage girls and women play the game across the UK and Ireland. England have probably the best XV in the world. And yet you'd struggle to know the game existed if you read our newspapers,  watched our TV and radio, or used general news sites like the BBC.

The main reason seems to be rugby correspondents who, when they ever acknowledge the existence of women's rugby at all, boast openly of their lack of knowledge without a hint of embarrassment.

However, it is possible to change this. Though many moan, few people ever complain  - a report this week has shown that a mere 35 complaints (from several million viewers) about a football pundit has resulted in official apologies, massive media coverage and his possible sacking - so logically everyone at Letchworth writing to the BBC to complain about their rugby correspondents' ignorance would have an effect. So why not drop them a line?

As for the print media, the Telegraph has just launched a website that is asking "What else would you like to see in your Telegraph sport section?" - so why not tell them? Go here and let them know!

And while you are about it, why not join the Facebook group?

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous4:16 PM

    Thought you might like to know that tonight, fingers crossed, there’ll be some highlights of England’s win against Scotland on the One Show. They have a guest on from the women’s sports foundation discussing why women’s sport doesn’t get the media recognition it deserves

    ReplyDelete

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