Mass Communication and Journalism: Journalism Practice and News Writing - Sports and Entertainment Journalism

What It Is

Sports and Entertainment Journalism (SEJ) is a specialized field of journalism that focuses on reporting and storytelling about sports, entertainment, and popular culture. A canonical example of SEJ is the coverage of the 1999 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves, where ESPN's Bob Costas provided in-depth analysis and commentary, setting a new standard for sports journalism. This matters for media analysis as it highlights the importance of storytelling and analysis in engaging audiences and conveying complex information.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Sports Journalism: Reporting and storytelling about sports events, teams, and athletes.
  • Example: The New York Times' coverage of the 2011 Super Bowl.
• Entertainment Journalism: Reporting and storytelling about movies, television shows, music, and other forms of popular culture.
  • Example: Rolling Stone's coverage of the 2014 Oscars.
• Sports Media: The various platforms and outlets that deliver sports content to audiences, including television, radio, print, and online media.
  • Example: ESPN's flagship show, SportsCenter.
• Sports Public Relations: The practice of managing the public image and reputation of athletes, teams, and sports organizations.
  • Example: The NFL's handling of player conduct and social issues.
• Entertainment Public Relations: The practice of managing the public image and reputation of celebrities, musicians, and other figures in the entertainment industry.
  • Example: The publicist for a major movie star handling a scandal.
• Sports Law: The body of law that governs sports, including issues related to player contracts, labor disputes, and doping.
  • Example: The 2015 NFL Concussion Settlement.
• Entertainment Law: The body of law that governs the entertainment industry, including issues related to copyright, contracts, and intellectual property.
  • Example: The 2018 lawsuit against Taylor Swift over song ownership.
• Sports Ethics: The principles and values that guide sports journalism and media, including issues related to fairness, accuracy, and respect for athletes and teams.
  • Example: The 2019 controversy surrounding the use of performance-enhancing substances in professional cycling.
• Entertainment Ethics: The principles and values that guide entertainment journalism and media, including issues related to fairness, accuracy, and respect for celebrities and other figures in the industry.
  • Example: The 2017 backlash against the media for its coverage of the #MeToo movement.
• Sports Media Studies: The academic field of study that examines the social, cultural, and economic contexts of sports media.
  • Example: The work of media scholar Jay Coakley.
• Entertainment Media Studies: The academic field of study that examines the social, cultural, and economic contexts of entertainment media.
  • Example: The work of media scholar Susan Murray.
• Sports Broadcasting: The practice of delivering sports content to audiences through television, radio, and online media.
  • Example: The 2018 World Cup broadcast on Fox Sports.
• Entertainment Broadcasting: The practice of delivering entertainment content to audiences through television, radio, and online media.
  • Example: The 2019 Oscars broadcast on ABC.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Sports journalism is only about reporting on sports events.
• Correction: Sports journalism encompasses a wide range of topics, including analysis, commentary, and feature stories about athletes, teams, and sports culture.
• Misunderstanding: Entertainment journalism is only about reporting on celebrity gossip and scandals.
• Correction: Entertainment journalism covers a broad range of topics, including movie and television reviews, music criticism, and analysis of cultural trends.
• Misunderstanding: Sports media is only about television and radio broadcasting.
• Correction: Sports media includes a wide range of platforms, including print, online, and social media.

Quick Application / Identification

Scenario: A sports journalist is writing a feature story about a professional athlete who has been accused of using performance-enhancing substances. The journalist wants to include a quote from the athlete's agent, but the agent is refusing to comment. What should the journalist do?

Answer: The journalist should try to get a comment from the athlete directly, or seek out a statement from the athlete's team or organization. This is because the journalist's primary responsibility is to seek out and report accurate information, and relying on a third-party source like the agent's statement may compromise the story's integrity.

Explanation: This scenario highlights the importance of seeking out primary sources and verifying information in sports journalism.

Last?Minute Revision

• The 1999 World Series was a landmark moment in sports journalism, marking a shift towards more in-depth analysis and commentary.
• The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of accuracy and fairness in sports journalism.
• The 2015 NFL Concussion Settlement was a major development in sports law, highlighting the need for greater protections for player safety.
• Jay Coakley is a prominent media scholar who has written extensively on sports media studies.
• The 2018 World Cup broadcast on Fox Sports was a major event in sports broadcasting, reaching a global audience of millions.
• The SPJ Code of Ethics defines libel as a form of defamation that occurs through written or published statements.
• The 2019 Oscars broadcast on ABC was a major event in entertainment broadcasting, featuring a diverse range of hosts and performers.
• Susan Murray is a prominent media scholar who has written extensively on entertainment media studies.
• The 2017 backlash against the media for its coverage of the #MeToo movement highlighted the importance of ethics in entertainment journalism.
• The SPJ Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of respect for sources and subjects in sports and entertainment journalism.
• The 2018 lawsuit against Taylor Swift over song ownership was a major development in entertainment law, highlighting the need for greater protections for artists and creators.
• The 2019 controversy surrounding the use of performance-enhancing substances in professional cycling highlighted the importance of ethics in sports journalism.