WHAT A WEB WE WEAVE: AN EXAMINATION OF THE INTERNET COVERAGE OF DEVIANCE IN SPORT

• Published in: Journal of contemporary athletics 2020-04, Vol.14 (2), p.93-101
• Main Authors: Waltemyer, D Scott, Clopton, Aaron W, Bopp, Trevor
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Culture; Deviance; Hypotheses; Internet; Media coverage; News media; Perceptions; Society; Violence; Web sites
• ISSN: 1554-9933

The purpose of this study was to explore the coverage of sport-related news as reported on Internet websites, and examining the content of those news stories to determine if the coverage was associated with deviant or non-deviant activities and behaviors. 3078 sport-related news stories were collected from nine popular sport websites, and analyzed. Results indicate that these sport websites release a greater number of stories related to non-deviant behaviors than deviant behaviors, and that non-deviant stories were longer (as measured by word count) than deviant stories. However, when it comes to stories related to deviance, stories about on-field violence tend to be longer than stories related to use of performance enhancing drugs, off-field violence, and use of alcohol/street drugs. These findings suggest possible social ramifications related to the coverage of sport on the Internet. Deviant behavior has been the focus of many social scientists, as deviance within society seems to be omnipresent. As suggested by Eitzen & Sage (2003), sport is not immune to the influences of society, and many social phenomena can be studied through sport. As such, deviance in sport has received much attention from scholars within the sport academy (Coakley; 2004; Coakley & Dunning, 2003; Mignon, 2003). One such area that has not been thoroughly examined is the media coverage and exposure of deviant behavior. Over the past decade, the Internet has impacted society immensely as a source of information for the masses. Flanagin and Metzger (2001) suggest the Internet has been found to significantly impact the establishment of perceptions and social norms within society. Additionally, the Internet and other mass media forms influence the public perception as to what is acceptable, reasonable, and important (Flanagin & Metzger, 2001; McGregor, 1989). Young (1986) suggests deviance reported in the media initiates a social reaction that manifests as more information is given. Reporting large amounts of deviant behavior may spurn negative attitudes and perceptions toward specific sports and potentially towards sport in general. Ultimately, these perceptions created due to the excess of deviant stories may create potential stereotypes toward athletes and the sports in which they play.