Newsroom staff
18 September 2019: Media coverage of women’s sport or the lack of it will come under the spotlight at the University of Canberra’s next UnCover event: Levelling the playing field.
There is a little irony in the fact that an event looking at the lack of media coverage in women’s sport is taking place in Canberra.
The coverage given to women’s sport by the Canberra media is somewhat unique across a national landscape, which at best provides sporadic interest, sparked by major events such as World Cups before normal service is restored.
Part of the reason for the widespread coverage of women’s sport in Canberra is the fact that in summer, the three major sporting teams are women’s teams, namely UC Capitals, the Canberra Meteors Women’s Cricket team, and the Canberra United W League side.
The city’s population also has a progressive stance when it comes to equality.
One positive aspect that can’t be overlooked is the Canberra media’s treatment of women’s sport, as sport. There is no special women’s sport page. It is treated, as it should be, on an equal footing. By contrast the coverage of women’s sport in most other centres can best be described as miniscule.
A major victory by a champion sportswoman such as Ash Barty, Sam Kerr or Ellyse Perry is given coverage but it is often a ‘one off’ before women’s sport coverage disappears into the ether. As coverage of women’s sports virtually becomes oblivious, the media goes into overdrive detailing every injury involving a sportsman.
Broadcast on free-to-air television of women’s sporting events is, of course, another matter, well out of the control of the Canberra media.
While there have been significant inroads through coverage of AFLW, Super Netball, WNBL and women’s cricket, albeit from a relatively low base, there is a considerably long way to go.
A case in point this year was the free-to-air coverage of women’s State of Origin rugby league, which attracted a big audience on television and at the grounds, only to see women’s rugby league disappear entirely despite the success.
There appears to be a reluctance from those in key decision-making positions in broadcast television to give women’s sport an opportunity to grow their product for fear that it may not attract an audience and, therefore, be a financial risk. Yet experience tells us the opposite. So why not give it a go?
If we consider the before mentioned ‘one off ’approach to women’s sport, broadcasters give the impression that women’s sport and sportswomen should be almost grateful that a network is covering their event. The power relationship is further instilled.
The result of the lack of coverage is that sportswomen have little avenue to improve their performances because they can’t devote themselves entirely to their sport as they combine work with training.
An imbalance in remuneration between men’s and women’s sport is but one aspect. There is also the lack of opportunity to promote their sport to a younger generation.
These issues and others associated with the lack of media coverage of women’s sport in Australia and its impact, as well as what needs to be done to improve the situation will be canvassed at the UnCover event: Levelling the Playing Field, on 26 September at Lucky’s Speakeasy Bar at the QT Hotel from 6.30 to 8.30 pm.
The panel will be moderated by veteran sports broadcaster, Tim Gavel, and features UC Director of Sport and seven-time WNBL premiership winning coach, Carrie Graf, UC Capitals co-captain, Kelsey Griffin, Director of the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation, Virginia Haussegger, and Sport Editor of The Canberra Times and UC Alumnus, Chris Dutton.
Register for this free event here.
