Are the Scottish media blameless in the bigotry debate?

[Frankie 8,183]

With another UEFA charge of discriminatory chanting being levelled at Rangers and ongoing summits at government level debating the subject domestically, I've found the media coverage of these issues extremely interesting. From the front pages to the back as well as carefully selected published letters, the topic has taken up a lot of space in our newspapers over the last month. There's no doubt some political grand-standing is taking place as elections close in.

 

Obviously it would be unreasonable not to expect this given the controversy and interest this subject attracts. Not to mention the money that must be earned from it - be it increased hard copies sold, more hits on websites or larger listener numbers to radio phone-ins. However, are these media platforms being responsible with regard to their portrayal of the subject?

 

For example it�s obvious that many commentators on Scotland�s sectarianism problem blame it solely on football (or indeed often specifically one club). While football chants are indisputable symptoms of the disease, if other more important factors are not also highlighted and debated (e.g. separate schooling) then the whole argument becomes disingenuous.

 

After all surely the hundreds of thousands of pounds of public funds granted to two successive failed Scottish Executive anti-sectarianism committees is worthy of scrutiny from those who genuinely wish to address this social disease? Moreover, the failure to balance criticism of football clubs with regular coverage of the impressive work they do in the community is disappointing. Yet we see none of this so it seems reasonable to assume that the media coverage isn't with the aim of curing the problem but is actually just another symptom of it.

 

Let's go back 5 years to make our point. Scottish Labour are in power and they publish their findings into 'Sectarianism in Football' within Scotland after consultations with a variety of fans in early 2006. Within these findings the following is recommended:

 

The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Football Association hold meetings with editors and sports editors of the major media companies in Scotland to discuss:

 

* the importance of the media reporting accurately and clearly on any future displays of sectarianism within Scottish football

* the dangers of adding a 'sectarian gloss' to stories where such an emphasis is unjustified by the facts of the event

* the dangers inherent in routine expression of sectarianism in humour, attributions of allegiance, and the like

 

The Scottish Executive commissions a consultation with the editors and main contributors to the major football fanzines in Scotland, so as to establish their views on the routine expression of sectarian sentiments, epithets and humour in these significant sub-cultural outlets.

 

First of all, it is unapparent if these meetings ever happened ââ?¬â?? certainly ongoing polemic and objectionable contributions from the usual commentators suggests it hasnââ?¬â?¢t. Be it cartoons about 'h*ns' with Rangers scarves in The Scotsman or BBC Radio Scotland programmes where supposedly neutral hosts are unable to substantiate their claims that one club is much worse than the other alongside deliberately misleading chant comparisons; it is clear that some coverage is less than helpful. I'm certain fans of all clubs could add all their own examples.

 

To that end any reasonable person would surely have concerns in the way that certain sections of the media portray and amplify the sectarianism problem ââ?¬â?? often without offering serious debate in how the problem can be addressed. Partisan condemnation appears to be the main aspect of their input and this certainly doesnââ?¬â?¢t always help our chances of success in communicating constructively with fans.

 

Therefore, there is no doubt in my mind that there exists in the Scottish media an element of disappointing opportunism in terms of erratic commentary on the bigotry problem in football. This has created a severe problem for the authorities (both footballing and law) in that many sides of the debate feel they are unfairly targeted ââ?¬â?? leading to time being wasted on unsubstantiated claims of bias or inaction.

 

Furthermore, the media pre-occupation with relatively small numbers of football supporters singing offensive songs based on tribal backgrounds as opposed to combating genuine sectarianism (and racism) via high quality debate is not only unhelpful but I'd contend increases tension, heightens defiance and thus causes more problems than it solves.

 

To that end this new 'Joint Action Group' should, as a matter of urgency, establish a coherent strategy to ensure media coverage of the bigotry issue is fair, consistent and balanced. This would help avoid the current climate of subjective complaint after complaint based upon unjustified and inaccurate media reporting.

 

Until this happens, I think it's fair to say the media are not the solution but are indeed part of the problem. Just don't expect to see that valid conclusion reported any time soon.

[Frankie 8,183]

Here are a few links for you to chew over as well.

 

- Fan Consultation on Sectarianism within Scottish Football

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/11/fan-consultation-exec-sum

 

- Calling Full Time on Sectarianism

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/11144623/0

 

- A Process Evaluation of Celtic Against Drugs and Rangers Positive Choices

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/01/07144803/0

 

- Promoting citizenship through football

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/12/10145304

 

 

This goes to show the huge amounts of time and money going into a problem that is no closer to being fixed by whatever government that is in charge. The lip-service that is paid to this and the sheer scale of incompetence almost makes me physically sick.

 

It is apparent the work the clubs do behind the scenes is equally time-consuming and will also be expensive yet this is ignored in favour of gratuitous digs from people who make money from covering the subject in such an irresponsible manner.

 

And they have the temerity to questions the 'balls' of others?

 

Truly Scotland's shame indeed.

Edited April 8, 2011 by Frankie

[Guest carmylebear]

Frankie,

Without a doubt the media play a huge part in stirring things up. On countless occasions they come out with banner headlines telling no more than lies and even when it is proven to be lies they simply put a couple of lines of apology in a corner section of their rag.

IMO they grossly exaggerate matters for no other reason than to sell more copies of their rags. These people should be taken to task and not just by our club but by all appropriate authorities.

Rangers FC is an easy target and perhaps all those who complain about this great club of ours should look a lot more closer to home for the real route of the problem.

[Zappa 0]

IMO they grossly exaggerate matters for no other reason than to sell more copies of their rags. These people should be taken to task and not just by our club but by all appropriate authorities.

 

Couldn't agree more and I've said similar things numerous times now. Not only are the media exaggerating matters, but deliberately/knowingly making them worse! As Frankie put it, they're amplifying the sectarianism problem without addressing possible, sensible and fair solutions and they know fine well that they're doing so. Common sense doesn't sell tabloid newspapers; sensationalism, hysteria and downright lies sell them....