The Sports Journalists’ Association has put plans in place to hold a major UK industry-wide sports media survey – and we’re looking for potential partners on the project.
In recent weeks, the SJA committee has been exploring opportunities that will give us a clearer picture of the state of the industry, and the experiences of those working in it.
The pandemic continues to have an enormous impact on us all, and the livelihoods of sports journalists, photographers, and others in industry roles are no exception. The Sports Freelancer Collective venture has been helping to raise awareness around some of these concerns but more study needs to be done.
In addition, learnings from the message of Black Lives Matter and the results of the recent Women In Football survey have again served to highlight questions of representation in sports media, and the importance of tackling discrimination in all its forms.
The SJA and the Friends of the SJA – the network of affiliated organisations that includes BCOMS, Sports Media LGBT+, Women In Football, other sports-specific groups and related bodies – feel passionately about inclusion. Data and personal testimonies from our survey will enable the SJA and the industry as a whole to determine where work still needs to be done, and the actions that can be taken to address the situation.
The SJA also hopes to glean information around pathways into the industry; the effects of social media; and how the Association can continue to best serve its membership and attract new members.
If you’re interested in this project, and you…
- have expertise in organising or conducting industry surveys
- have an academic role related to sports media
- could potentially assist the SJA on the project in another way
… we’d love to hear from you.
Please email info@sportsjournalists.co.uk with ‘SJA Survey’ in the Subject line, explaining what you might be able to bring to the project.