Issue/ Debate

Are athletes viewed positively?

The representations of athletes vary from different media institutions. They provide borh positive and negative views of athletes.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/6438478/Footballer-Marlon-King-groped-woman-and-broke-her-nose.html

This article on the actions of Marlon King provides a negative view on sportsmen. As it shows what can happen to people who are given wealth and how they behave. Furthermore it goes against the idea that athletes are viewed as 'heroes'. Also it can relate to economical and historical as in the past athletes were paid less than now. Therefore they found being a role model as more significant to athletes now.

Also this issue could be related to ethnicity. The question could be posed that because he is an ethnic minority it may be viewed more negatively by the media. This is because the media is owned by the white ruling class.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/3228728.stm

This article is based on England winning the Rugby World cup. This shows athletes in a positive way as it views them winning and succeeding. Therefore it portrays them as heroes because they're promoting ideological values such as achieving with hard work and merit. This means it is producing the correct values for society, meaning the media's represenation of atheltes as heroes allows them to influence society.

By producing the article in this way they allow readers to want to support the nation. Thus, it creates a unified society. This is in favour of the idea of athletes as heroes as it reiterates the sense of achievement. Also as it is from the BBC it is likely to be targeted at everyone so therefore creates a unified soceity as it appeals to everyone.