New Guidelines Aim to Reduce Sexualization of Female Athletes

WHO:

Fast Company - The guidelines were developed in collaboration with athletes Holly Bradshaw, Ivana Španović, and Blanka Vlašić.

Fox News - The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics are involved in the new guidelines.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The guidelines are titled "Raising the Bar: Guidelines for Respectful Media Coverage in Women’s Athletics" and consist of a 23-page document.

Fast Company - The guidelines include animated examples of various camera shots, recommending wide angles for High Jump and cautioning against low camera angles from beneath the athletes.

Fox News - The EBU released guidelines that discourage the use of sexualized shots of female athletes during broadcasts.

Reddit Sports - The guidelines aim to prevent the sexualization of women athletes through specific camera angles and slow-motion replays, urging broadcasters to focus on performance and technical ability.

WHERE:

Reddit Sports - The guidelines are applicable across broadcasts involving female athletes in Europe, as indicated by the involvement of the EBU and European Athletics.

WHY:

Fast Company - Glen Killane, Executive Director of EBU Sports, stated that the choices in camera angles "shape audience perception by diverting attention from the remarkable achievements and technical skills of women athletes, and risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes."

Reddit Sports - The motivation behind the guidelines is to reduce the sexualization of female athletes in media coverage.

HOW:

Fast Company - The guidelines aim to combat the sexualization of women athletes through selective camera angles and editing.

Reddit Sports - Broadcasters are encouraged to implement the guidelines by changing their focus to the athletes' performance and technical skills rather than their appearance.

A new set of guidelines titled "Raising the Bar: Guidelines for Respectful Media Coverage in Women’s Athletics" has been developed in collaboration with athletes Holly Bradshaw, Ivana Španović, and Blanka Vlašić. This 23-page document includes animated examples of recommended camera shots, advocating for wide angles in High Jump while cautioning against low angles that could detract from the athletes' achievements. Glen Killane, Executive Director of EBU Sports, emphasized that the choices in camera angles can shape audience perception and risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes, highlighting the importance of these guidelines in combating the sexualization of women athletes.