Women in media's attitudes towards television sports media

Abstract

Sports media is part of general media, distinguished by its focus on sports and athletes, with the sports community as its target and tools. Its primary aim is to deliver information and expertise to athletes and those working in the sports sector (Mohammed Sayed Mohammed, 1988, p. 54). Television has become the most popular, preferred, and optimal mass media due to its comprehensive and engaging coverage of sports news and events. Therefore, the characteristics of sporting events favor television coverage, to the point that this medium was created specifically for sports. Its dynamic and dynamism make it the most popular, widespread, and easily accessible media. It is ubiquitous, with a broad, diverse, and constant audience. It offers the stability of staying at home and provides both material and emotional comfort. Furthermore, television content is a complex art form; the topics presented are creative, ranging from investigative reports and features to the integration of sound and image, in addition to the speed and immediacy of live broadcasts, to the extent that viewers feel involved in the event. Television is considered one of the most important media outlets. Its widespread use has become so pervasive that it has become ubiquitous, so much so that the era we live in is now called the "Television Age" (Muhammad Saeed Mahani, 1984, p. 23), and some even call it the "Communication Age." Its vast resources have managed to occupy a special place in people's hearts, to the point that it is difficult for them to imagine life without media. Despite the challenges of working in various media fields (television, radio, and journalism), this field is no longer limited to men. With the beginning of the 19th century, women entered the media field, and the first signs of success for women in this area appeared (Awatif Abdel Rahman, 1989, p. 8). Cassie Golden points out that journalism was once considered unsuitable and inappropriate for women. Despite the lack of ambition surrounding women's work in the media, the first women's magazine, "Al-Fatat" (The Girl), was published in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1892 by Hind Noufal, and was followed by a number of women's magazines throughout the Arab world. In 1909, Al-Hasnaa magazine appeared in Lebanon, Al-Arous in Syria, and Al-Jazairia magazine in Algeria in 1970. With the advancement of media and the emergence of radio and television, women's entry into this field became evident. For example, there are a considerable number of female program presenters and directors in the media field, some even reaching the position of editor-in-chief. Women also gained their political rights and attained the highest academic degrees, and today, the progress of nations is measured by the status of women within them. The broadcaster Rasha Al-Barghouthi was able to break into the field and prove her success, becoming the first Arab woman to manage a sports analysis studio in 2005 on Sawt Al-Khaleej radio in Qatar. She later moved from radio to Al-Kass channel in Qatar to present sports news bulletins. Hanaa Hamza also works for Nile Sports channel in Egypt. As for female sports journalists in Algeria, we find Laila Smati, Laila Farhat, Donia Hijab, and others.