Chapter 28: How to deal with diversity in sport

Diversity is a reality in all aspects of society, including sport. As a sports journalist, it is essential to understand how to deal with this diversity, be it racial, gender, cultural, religious, age or ability. Dealing with diversity in sport is not only a matter of ethics, but also a way to improve your reporting skills and better understand the sporting landscape.

Recognizing Diversity

Firstly, it is important to understand that diversity is everywhere in sport. It is visible in the variety of athletes who participate in competitions, in the different types of sports played around the world and in the different ways in which people interact with sport. To effectively deal with diversity, it is important to recognize and appreciate it. This means learning about different cultures, traditions and sporting histories, and being open to experiences and perspectives different from your own.

Respecting Diversity

Respecting diversity is fundamental to dealing with it effectively. This means treating all individuals equally, regardless of their differences. As a sports journalist, you must strive to be fair and impartial in your coverage, avoiding stereotypes and prejudice. This also means recognizing and respecting the differences between the sports and athletes you're covering.

Representing Diversity

Another important part of dealing with diversity in sport is representing it appropriately in your coverage. This means including a variety of voices and perspectives in your stories, not just those of the most popular or successful athletes and teams. It also means highlighting diversity within sport, be it racial, gender, cultural, religious, age or ability. This could involve covering athletes from underrepresented groups, including stories about lesser-known sports, or exploring issues of diversity and inclusion in sport.

Challenging Discrimination

Unfortunately, diversity in sport can also lead to discrimination. As a sports journalist, it is your responsibility to challenge this discrimination when you see it. This could mean reporting on incidents of racism, sexism or homophobia in sport, or highlighting the barriers that athletes from underrepresented groups face. By doing so, you will not only be advocating for justice, but you will also help promote diversity and inclusion in sport.

Conclusion

Dealing with diversity in sport is an essential part of a sports journalist's job. By recognising, respecting, representing and challenging diversity, you can help promote inclusion and equality in sport, whilst improving your reporting skills and understanding of the sporting landscape. Remember, diversity is a strength, not a weakness, and it is something that should be celebrated, not feared or ignored.