Technology and Sport Journalism: What Does The Future Hold?

By Rodney Omeokachie 22159347

Technology advances so fast that we can barely keep up and neither can print journalism. Many feel that with the online forms of journalism, print journalism is fast becoming obsolete. Changes in news patterns,audiences, habits and overall the sports journalism fraternity are no longer ignorable (Andrew, 2011).  Digital technology has forced sports reporting to change as it has become necessary to mix traditional methods of sports journalism with modern technology in order to keep up with competition created by media houses investing in digital reportage. The momentum has shifted in favor of web browsing but at the expense of broadsheet reporting  which creates new challenges for the print industry in western countries - especially the America and Great Britain(Boyle) .

South African print media still breathes as the print industry boasts steady sales and circulation despite the encroaching rise of online media. This, however, is not as a result of the public's general preference of the newspaper. Poverty and illiteracy are to blame. With more people unable to use and access the web, more people will have to settle for the next best- and perpetually available thing- the newspaper. Until the war on Poverty and illiteracy is won, TV, radio and print will continue to dominate in news distribution. but for how long? The interactive ness of online reporting makes it very tempting. It will continue to encroach.


Narrowing it down to sports journalism, it seems that this branch has the best chance of adjusting to the wave of online oriented media. There are live blogs, play by play commentaries, live streams of high profile matches, and video games. Sports journalism , if taken seriously, can remain relevant despite the whirlwind of change. Also, social media, in all its forms, is perfect for the multi-facetedness of sports reporting. Sports connotes a very visual experience which the web can facilitate and rocket to new levels of interactivity and connectivity. Sports enthusiasts seek variety in the consumption of news; they look for constant updates, have an appetite for blogs, analysis documentaries and tweets (Andrew, 2011). Sports journalism and online media means that no longer will we have to look far for the news as anyone can tweet what they see albeit subjectively.Many will argue that twitter and such will destroy the integrity of journalism as we know it. While that may be true, it may not matter. It is worth noting that most people are either illiterate, poor or nonchalant about how well the news is written so long as it gets to them.

While most branches of journalism that rely on print format are dying, Sports journalism is in a good position to take advantage of all the net has to offer.