I’m not in the habit of defending men, but David Campese’s tweet earlier this week has compelled me to stray from tradition.
I know it came a few days ago, but his comments and the debate that followed really stuck with me.
I’ve read a few pieces from female sports fans and writers recently, complaining about the way that they are treated by the opposite sex. While by no means am I disputing that their experiences are real, I feel like someone needs to stick up for the good guys.
I just graduated with a journalism degree and have done everything I could to get a foot in the sports media door. I have completed work experience in a variety of sports and with various media companies.
All of these were in predominantly male environments.
In all of this time, I have never had a negative experience with these men. Anyone I have worked with or for has given me incredible respect and treated me the same as anyone, regardless of their chromosome combination.
Maybe I’ve been lucky or maybe it’s because I have a face for radio, but I have never felt the need to prove myself to men or compensate for my gender.
Outside of work, many of my male friends respect and even request my opinion about sports and have never questioned my ability to understand sport just because I’m a girl.
Maybe that’s why Campo’s tweet really shocked me – I can’t believe that anyone could even think that way these days.
My experiences may be the exception that proves the rule, but I still feel like someone needs to remember that Campese’s comments are not reflective of the majority.
You only need to look to the United States to see the respect that women gain in their sports coverage. America leads the way in this regard, with numerous female reporters appearing in all forms of media.
A lack of women in sports reporting does not mean they don’t have every right, and all the knowledge, to be there. But, on the other hand, just because an industry is dominated by men, that does not mean that women do not receive the respect they deserve in the industry.
The backlash that Campese received from the wider public and the journalism industry shows that his backward views have no place in our society or our media.
It’s just a shame that anyone could make those comments in the first place.
Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’m going to back to learning how to write about sports like a man.
PaulT
Guest
BTN - I respect your right to comment on sports. Go for it - publish your opinions. Please give Campo the same respect. Don't expect us all to be in your cheer squad. If you don't like some of the blokey things in rugby, then go comment on the netball. SHEEK - your comment about Campo's tweet morphing into an attack on female sports journalists is hyperbole. Tone it down.
womble
Guest
You know what? I wont tell a surgeon how to save a person's eyesight if an ametuer doesnt tact lilke an e xpert. D Campese can call a spade a spade if he likes, he played 100 tests, therefore, tough titties.. Is rhere any credibility anymore?
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Great post. That is why Sheek is one of my favourite posters here. I love what Campo said to Michael Lynagh once. Lynagh was questioning him over public criticisms Campo had made about the ARU letting Lynagh go overseas to Italy to play rugby and be with his wife. Campo said: "Mate I wasn't having a go at you, just the ARU. Lynagh said: Campo, why didn't you say that? Campo said: "Oh mate you know me." Or when Bob Dwyer once confronted Campo about something he said. Campo said: "That didn't come out exactly how I wanted." Dwyer said: "I know, mate. I think there's a fault connection between your brain and your mouth. Campo often says a lot of great stuff. If I had to choose between reading an Ella or Campese column, it would be Ella almost every day of the week. But when Campo says something great, people miss it or jump down his throat.
sheek
Roar Guru
btn, Some might call me a Campese apologist, but since so many are so quick to put the boot into him so often, I feel compelled to level the debate time & time again. I often feel the same way with Robbie Deans. With so many people making so many outrageous claims against his coaching credibility, I often feel compelled to provide another light to the issue. Campo actually says a lot of practically sound, common sense stuff that is often lost in the hysteria game of "Campo bashing." This is an exercise whereby wisdom challenged folk try to reduce Campo to their own low-mentality common denominator! You certainly learn as you get older that most humans are like sheep who prefer the security & anonymity of the herd. ;-) Campo was certainly out of line in his comments about SMH's Georgina Robinson. Yet another female journalist Margie McDonald (from The Australian) remembers an accommodating Campo in his playing days & from her early interactions with the Wallabies. So I think Campo's comments were out of frustration, but as we're all inclined to do, the comments came out differently to how they were intended. The message he wanted to send, is that not enough tough questions were being asked of head coach Deans' tenure. Regrettably, it morphed into an attack on female sports journalists. But this was clearly unintended. At least it's clear to me. I had a work issue not so long ago, whereby emotions on all sides got heated with a subject close to the bone. The intent of the well-meant message was lost as everyone became defensive & counter-attacked. I believe this is what occurred with Campo's comments. Finally, as a prospective female sports journalist, you should always strive to remain true to who you are & not bother about gender or personality types. Be yourself.