Women and the Media

The female body is used to sell many different products in our society today, from cars to washing powders. It is also used to sell women’s sport. The media, in particular television, is a powerful medium and both shapes and reflects the attitudes and values of our society. “The way in which the media portrays women in sport affects the way in which female athletes are perceived by the community and also reveals some stereotypes and attitudes relating to women in our society” (Stoddart, 1992; 1). The relative invisibility and poor portrayal of women’s sport (when covered) in the media has been a topical issue for some years, both i...