How much of a role should the media play in helping to reduce racism in football?

Answer 1

A huge and ongoing role, in every vehicle of the media, and at every opportunity. Think about it. Where do we get our information from, where do many members of society take their lead from, in forming their opinions? It might take a minute to make sense, but think on this: a radio news bulletin announces that a bank is in trouble, say a scenario similiar to the recent Northern Rock furore. Later the same day the station takes calls from people worried about their money in that bank, seeking reassurances. Presto! Next news bulletin says queues are beginning to form at branches of the bank, nervous investors wanting their cash out of a bank deemed "in trouble". This demonstrates that we do indeed take our lead from the media.

Now stop and think of the positivity the media could have if they were united in the fight to tackle racism. If a simple measure, naming and shaming, were adopted by the radio and television stations that have broadcasts of matches, it would go a long long way to getting rid of this shameful practice. No long sermons on the subject, we want match commentary and analysis. Just a clear, concise, short statement on air, to the effect of " officials at the club have identified these attendees at our last match against so and so as being racially offensive in their language and conduct, and as such these people are not welcome at our matches in future." Then Name Them, live and on air, in front of God and everyone, then get back to reporting on the game. No further comment, all done matter-of-factly and with appropriate gravitas and condemnation. No apologies or explanations or excuses, for there are none. It will catch on, you'll see and will eventually stop dead in it's tracks racial abuse in football.

Answer 2

The media has a massive influence and this can be used to access society

The media can do more to help combat racism but this does not sell papers etc and to be honest this is all the media are interested in...

For racism to be reduced in football we need to start at the bottom ....

We need to start with children . .after all they are the next generation and are susceptible to learning

There is no need for racism in today's society and as football appeals to many youngsters this could be used to get the message across

The media should cover stories where other footballers have been accused of racism and when proven to be guilty the footballer should be forced to make a very public apology through the media

Many young kids strive to be like their favourite footballer and look up to them ...

They see them swearing at the ref .. they think it is funny

They see handbags at dawn on the pitch and they laugh

Although the players are punished the kids do not see that this is where the public apology comes into play as this is getting the message across loud and clear that this type of behaviour is not acceptable and the kids will take notice of that

I also think the media could stop airing a live match when the fans chant inappropriately as many kids are watching this

I also believe the players themselves could play a bigger role using the media to their advantage and do some form of programme on what is acceptable behaviour on the pitch

Answer 3

Racism (and other ISM's for that matter) is an ugly thing and really shouldnt have to be put up with by anyone. The trouble is that in your line of work you are, in affect, an entertainer all be it in a totally different role to a presenter. But part of entertaining is having an audience and an audience that wants to get involved as-well.
This audience is primarily (despite the financial figures involved) working class and as someone from a working class background, you can throw all the PC speech at us, but we more often than not say what we want in an environment we think we can get away with it. ie, a stadium.
Racism isnt right AT-ALL but at the end of the day, you choose to play football in an environment that will mean you have to deal with these issues, the press's job is to report, not influence (although im sure it does), your job is to entertain by playing football and the crowds job is to get on your back and get behind there team.
With a crowd of 50'000, your going to get a racists, a sexist, an ageist and pretty much everything else.
Happy New Year!

Answer 4

To address racism, you have to address the problem at its source. The source being how people are raised to think about races different than their own.

By the time a child is old enough to pay attention to "the media" their ideas are already formed, usually taught and encouraged by parents/mentors. Therefore, the media is powerless to change minds. The only thing the media is good for is passing on watered down information with a very distinct bias.

The responsibility of reducing racism sits squarely in the hands of those raising our future generations.....and its not nor should it be the media.

Answer 5

Hi Samuel Eto'o, Racism in football is not as bad as racism with in the world. However, the media can have a vast impact on racism if they would only print positive stories and not just the problems. I have watch many football matches on TV and seen people of all races chanting together, embraced together in unison. It is only the minority that give football a bad name. The media only chose to print what the minority have done because it wants to sell papers, but there is no mention of the other thousands who attended the game, who went home quietly. It should not be only Football stars who should lead the role against racism, but pop stars. film stars and of course our own politicians when they have stopped looking for lost information. The media want to sell papers and find they can only do this but printing negative stories about people of different races of untold proportion. If all stars that people look up to, to put pressured the media to become more in line with racism and cut down the stories or not even mention, race, creed or colour, our world may not be as bad as we are lead to believe. The only true way of cutting out racism is through our children, Schools should play a major part in teaching our children that being a different colour, speaking a different language or having different religious believes is acceptable into to-days world. Parents should allow children to learn how a person from another country lives. Best wishes. Peter

Answer 6

The media promotes racism already by the way they report news.Too much negative emphasise is put on minority groups and races within their articles.The media use sensationalising and propaganda methods to keep racism alive.Unless the media seriously considers changing the way they report they will continue to do more harm than good.
I feel that the media practises institutionalised racism.
This form of racism is cleverly designed to con the unsuspecting and plants the seed of racism amongst the general public.
I feel the media has such a huge influence and there is certainly a role AND a responsibility on its part to help in the struggle against racism but I can't help feeling the media is very much to blame for their involvement in promoting racism in the first place.I for one don't trust their practises.

Answer 7

A whole much: from the newspapers, electronic media- tv,radio, websites, kiosks, etc. The major function of the media is to create awareness, expose information. Racism should be exposed via the media, informing about its ills. Then can people know wats up, allow their conscience to take the right positive steps... creating the gradual unity, oneness. That is the spirit of the game - football, soccer!!!

I am an AC Milan fan, my favorite player in the team is Kaka. And that's my pet name. But all of the players even those not on the field, who play at their local stadia or on the streets are great. I love the game it keeps me alive, energetic and am grateful to watch it, interacting with others, its such fun.
Have a happy holidays!!!!

Answer 8

The media could be the only factor which may help in reducing racism in football because it is the connection between the viewers and the players. If this connection had a good picture and it represented all individuals equally, it could reduce racism.
The power of the media is that it could deliver the idea up to millions of people, so, why can't this power be used in a good way to minimize the negative qualities which could be found such as racism. Some media sources which try to gain public attention, tend to distort incidents which happen just to gain attention and increase the number of viewers, but they do not think about the harmful effects which might come over.
It is the duty of every individual in the media starting from a small match photographer till a news paper editor to try to make this beautiful game something which people gather around to watch wonderful matches and special techniques in a way that people would respect the game including its players from wherever part of the world they are from.

Answer 9

We may not live under Communism but there are not so many media outlets as there are say driving schools. The few companies that there are have direct access to our homes.

This being the case they are very powerful opinion makers and hence have a lot of responsibility.

The media should be used to tackle racism and every other form of anti-social behaviour.

The media should also represent the whole community, which means ethnic shows and ten percent of the faces on television being ethnic. In fact I think they make good attempts to do this.

Racists are parochial little fuckers and should be sent for re-education. Hitler and the Nazis were parochial little fuckers and they lost.

Answer 10

Racism is something that needs to be stopped by ones will. The media can't do much on it, however it is great if they do make an influence and try to help. I just really think racism will exist for as long as I live and until humans leave stupidity and ignorance behind it will continue. The media can only do as much as saying it's not good. But why should we stop our sport? Just because of foolish people that can't seem to get it through their head that no matter the differences, it's about the football skill and fun not the color of skin, religion, etc.
But if these footballers that have gotten the respect and are role models for some kids can manage to get the message then we are that much closer.