The debate surrounding swimming's once golden girl Leisel Jones, and her fitness to compete in The Olympics set the Australian media on fire this week.
The photos that sparked the debate depicted the 26-year-old swimmer poolside, in nothing but her green and gold swimsuit.
Soon after these photos emerged, headlines placing doubt on her ability to swim began to circulate.
We had them on every news site and every paper, all newsworthy because of one really unflattering photo that was taken while she was bending over.
Myself, I would like to see someone who would look good from that angle, but anyway.
Is she fit enough? Is she too fat? Can she perform? Are just a few examples of articles I saw floating around online in the days preceding.
All articles contained more photos than text, and more judgement than analysis.
Pretty horrible for poor Leisel, who arguably already had the expectations of the nation on her shoulders; these headlines just perpetuated more doubt for the swimmer in her fourth games.
The problems I saw with the reporting of this saga were twofold.
Firstly, for as long as I can remember, The Olympics is largely based on time trials.
In fact, the swimming is solely based on this.
By that reasoning, Leisel was obviously fit enough to compete, else she never would have made it to the games... FOUR consecutive times.
Secondly, I was utterly appalled at the message the media, mainstream Australian media (we're not taking catwalk models in Vouge) happily sent to Australian women and girls regarding body image.
The subtext under every story produced by every media outlet making comment on Liesel's alleged fat roll, made an example of a woman who is idol to many and labeled her inadequate.
It seemed like most organizations didn't have a care for how this would impact the women who work on their bodies tirelessly just to look even half as good as Leisel does.
Later in the week, the Sydney Morning Herald seemed to try and retract the criticism they had made earlier by providing us with an opinion piece reminding us how image driven any career path is and "if you don't look like you can deliver the goods, you need people around you who can vouch for your commitment, credibility and performance".
Really? Or should people believe in us regardless of what we look like?
Statistics on the Butterfly Foundation website tell us disordered eating is emerging as a norm in Australian society with 90% of 12-17 year old girls and 68% of 12 – 17 year old boys having been on a diet of some type.
Putting these statistics into context with the judgements the media made on our on a sporting elite this week, it presents an ethical dilemma for media professionals and one which was largely overlooked.
That is, it is our responsibility to think about how a story may effect those vulnerable in our society.
As journalists we should ask ourselves whether something is for the greater good, before simply writing a hook to get more hits on juicy photo?
Or is this what online journalism is about?
Getting those readers in with something that nobody else has.
I suppose I'll find out as I go along with this course.
Al Xx
The photos that sparked the debate depicted the 26-year-old swimmer poolside, in nothing but her green and gold swimsuit.
Soon after these photos emerged, headlines placing doubt on her ability to swim began to circulate.
We had them on every news site and every paper, all newsworthy because of one really unflattering photo that was taken while she was bending over.
Myself, I would like to see someone who would look good from that angle, but anyway.
Is she fit enough? Is she too fat? Can she perform? Are just a few examples of articles I saw floating around online in the days preceding.
All articles contained more photos than text, and more judgement than analysis.
Pretty horrible for poor Leisel, who arguably already had the expectations of the nation on her shoulders; these headlines just perpetuated more doubt for the swimmer in her fourth games.
The problems I saw with the reporting of this saga were twofold.
Firstly, for as long as I can remember, The Olympics is largely based on time trials.
In fact, the swimming is solely based on this.
By that reasoning, Leisel was obviously fit enough to compete, else she never would have made it to the games... FOUR consecutive times.
Secondly, I was utterly appalled at the message the media, mainstream Australian media (we're not taking catwalk models in Vouge) happily sent to Australian women and girls regarding body image.
The subtext under every story produced by every media outlet making comment on Liesel's alleged fat roll, made an example of a woman who is idol to many and labeled her inadequate.
It seemed like most organizations didn't have a care for how this would impact the women who work on their bodies tirelessly just to look even half as good as Leisel does.
Later in the week, the Sydney Morning Herald seemed to try and retract the criticism they had made earlier by providing us with an opinion piece reminding us how image driven any career path is and "if you don't look like you can deliver the goods, you need people around you who can vouch for your commitment, credibility and performance".
Really? Or should people believe in us regardless of what we look like?
Statistics on the Butterfly Foundation website tell us disordered eating is emerging as a norm in Australian society with 90% of 12-17 year old girls and 68% of 12 – 17 year old boys having been on a diet of some type.
Putting these statistics into context with the judgements the media made on our on a sporting elite this week, it presents an ethical dilemma for media professionals and one which was largely overlooked.
That is, it is our responsibility to think about how a story may effect those vulnerable in our society.
As journalists we should ask ourselves whether something is for the greater good, before simply writing a hook to get more hits on juicy photo?
Or is this what online journalism is about?
Getting those readers in with something that nobody else has.
I suppose I'll find out as I go along with this course.
Al Xx
