Press freedom in sports journalism
The dangers and costs of being an investigative sports journalist
Journalists investigating sports corruption are exposed to many kinds of risks
By Kirsten Sparre, 15.04.2019
For some journalists, reporting on integrity breaches in sport comes at a price, says this paper and presents various dangers that sports journalists face. The paper is commissioned by EPAS as part of their work with UNESCO’s Kazan Action Plan. Read more
Dangers of sports journalism
By Steve Menary, 29.11.2017
The working conditions of sports journalists were in focus in a Play the Game 2017 session that shed light on dangers and difficulties when reporting on sports. Read more
The truth cannot be concealed
By Lars Andersson, 07.07.2014
Investigative journalism is scarce in the sports world. A few lone wolves are breaking away from the pack – but not without considerable personal and economic consequences. In the first of two articles on investigative journalism in sport, freelance writer Lars Andersson portrays three journalists who regularly challenge sport’s self-image. Read more
Cases that call for investigative journalism and examples of press freedom being limited or challenged:
Window undressing: Stories from international sport
By Steve Menary, 27.11.2017
A wide-ranging panel at Play the Game 2017 told participants stories about whistleblowers, corruption and organisational anomalies in sport. Read more
By Play the Game, 13.05.2016
How well will Qatar tackle critical reporting, ask two Danish journalists after being held back and interrogated while doing a documentary on the 2022 FIFA World Cup preparations. Read more
Sochi 2014: Press freedom under threat
By Marcus Hoy, 31.10.2013
With just 100 days to go to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Play the Game asked whether security concerns and the desire for positive coverage could stifle press freedom. Read more
Working conditions are changing – what is the future of sports journalism?
What now for investigative sports journalism
By Marcus Hoy, 28.10.2015
Play the Game is known as “home for the homeless questions in sport”. Many of these questions are posed by journalists. During Play the Game 2015, we asked whether the drift from traditional to Internet-based platforms would make investigative journalism less healthy. Read more
Sports journalism has become an adult fairy tale
By Lars Andersson, 14.07.2014
Sports journalism is first and foremost entertainment. But is it really journalism’s task to do PR work for the world it is writing about? In this article on investigative journalism in sport, leading journalists call for more media who dare to delve behind the glossy facade of sport. Read more
The general working conditions for sports journalists
The significance of journalistic grunt work
By Play the Game, 23.10.2013
If it were not for the courageous investigative journalists around the world relentlessly pursuing the truth, some of the most infamous cases of doping, match-fixing, bribery and corruption in sport might never have seen the light of day. Read more
On scandal after scandal, sports journalists drop the ball
By David Rowe, 12.03.2013
What is sports journalism for? Are sports journalists a part of the fourth estate or merely a fan club? In this article from The Conversation, David Rowe discusses the role of sports journalism in the light of the number of recent hits to the reputation of sport. Read more