Women’s Sports Coverage – Just do it!

This morning as we lazed in bed in holiday mode  (spending a week up the coast) We cheered on the Matilda’s as we searched to find coverage of the game. Our main channels, Nine and Seven were crossing back and forth during their morning current affairs shows. At least that was something. Its not lost on us girls that had our lovely male counterparts been playing in the final of a world title, the current affairs shows would have probably been re-scheduled or the game would have been shown in full.
We all know the inequalities and lop sided ‘norm’ that occurs in our society when it comes to gender. Heck I have blogged about it with countless others, but today my thoughts  are just with the power players in the media. If women’s sports coverage takes up only 7% of the national coverage, (source ABC April 2015) then why doesn’t a bold media programmer, just change it? We all are aware of it, would we support it? you betcha.  I’m sure if they did, Im sure sure if they stuck there neck out,  they would find an audience. Im sure an advertiser would take a punt and book advertising during a televised sporting game if thats the worry. It just starts with someone making the change, Im kind of sick of talking about it. Just someone do it.

Some sports seem to have more balance. Equal time seems to be given to women surfers as well as men surfers. Women’s tennis matches are not aired as often on centre court but they are televised. So  print media, please devote equal pages to women’s sports. Would everyone read it? probably not straight away, but again, give it time and let it build. Its no different to marriage equality and rights for LBGTI communities. At one point in history there was a majority against it, but they kept the conversation going, people kept campaigning and slowly the tide turned. Women in Sport with equal broadcasting, equal air time in reporting? someone just do it already.. Too simplistic? too bad.

Andy x