Week Three Carlin

For this week’s first reading, author Drew Hancherick wrote about the history of sports journalism and how rapidly it’s changing in “Tweet Talking: How Modern Technology and Social Media are Changing Sports Communication.”

Hancherick wrote about how the medium of sports communication has changed throughout the years from its advent in print to the Twitter culture of the day. He examined how sports fans consumed information and how the technological advances in radio and television changed how sports news and events were delivered.

While Hancherick gave a fairly basic account of how sports media has changed throughout the 20th century, he focused much of his piece on how the Internet and the dynamic of Twitter has turned the sports media market on its head. One instance he referred to in particular was a Tweet that ESPN columnist Bill Simmons had sent out regarding trade talks involving wide receiver Randy Moss. The rumors had not been reported by newspapers or ESPN, but it showed how a simple Tweet can turn the sports media world on its head. The best example I can remember of this in recent memory was when Cliff Lee resigned with the Phillies. ESPN and former Inquirer reporter Jayson Stark had Tweeted earlier in the day that he had a hunch the Phillies were the mystery team for Lee, but could not confirm it. Within 12 hours, rumors had spread throughout Twitter that Lee was on his way to Philadelphia and by morning, the contract was done. Twitter completely changed the way this was reported by allowing reporters to immediately post what they are hearing.

The second reading focused on issues facing sports journalism as identified by sports writers.

One issue cited in the article was professionalism. That is, how the public perceives journalists and the job they do. One response from a journalist was that many in the public perceive sports writers as people who just sit up in the press box and watch games, which is negative perception that those in the survey were concerned about.

Another issue facing journalism was cited in the story by then-Sports Editor and current Managing Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News Pat McLoone who said that the economics of journalism are an enormous issue, which is no surprise. He cited a main cause for economics being a major issue to a decline in readership and a failure to appeal to younger readers.