Player profiles, interviews with club administrators, form guides and speculative gossip. The cynics among us would say that this is all we can expect from our sports journalists.
But recently, we’ve been treated to a glimpse of sports writing at it’s best.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard took the first tentative steps to take on the gambling industry, calling upon broadcasters to follow a more stringent code for gambling on live sport.
The government has threatened to play hardball with any broadcasters that flout the new code.
Best of all, ”pundit” Tom Waterhouse and his ilk will be booted from live commentary teams.
It seems there is nothing like an election year for getting things done. The Labor Government’s epiphany on this issue is a direct reaction to a very loud public backlash, as well as crusading investigations from the ABC’s Marian Wilkinson and Fairfax’s Peter FitzSimons.
Just last week, FitzSimons wrote in his regular column:
“I have written extensively on the need to stop gambling advertising, and am always overwhelmed with 99 percent acclaim: ‘Go Harder!’ ‘Rip in, you speak for me!’ ‘FitzSimons, I have always considered you a loud mouthed dickhead, with a stupid red rag on his head, no doubt because your head is usually up your arse, but on this issue….”
I have to confess to being part of the latter group.
I rarely find much to celebrate in FitzSimons’ chest-beating, over the top style of journalism.
But this is an issue where his writing has stood out from the pack, and credit needs to be given where credit is due.
Without FitzSimons’ very loud and very public analysis in his recent columns, the issue would surely not have reached so many people and raised such a vicious backlash.
About a week ago, Michael Brull’s excellent article on “conviction journalism” for Overland did the rounds on social media.
It was a well-argued riposte to the idea that journalists should simply report the news “without bias.”
Journalists like to fetishise ideals of “objectivity” as a way of stating their relevance to the public domain. However, as Brull suggests, “objective journalists – the type that display no conviction in their work – produce articles that aren’t worth reading.”
Sports journalism, however, has proved to be a more complex beast. Most of the press attention, whether we like it or not, is focused on the on-field action.
Relationships between members of the media and their subjects are often jovial and close-knit, with both parties needing the other for their survival. One does not simply barge into press conferences and boardrooms asking curly questions of club administrators and management.
It might be inevitable, but it’s not a brilliant environment for head-kicking investigative journalism.
But with so much money in sport, “conviction journalists” are as necessary on the back pages as any other part of the paper.
With sport playing such a pivotal and large role in our cultural life, it’s certainly in our public interest to know the wheelings and dealings of those running the games we follow.
In recent years, we’ve seen several stories of corruption, drug use, sex and other scandals in sport.
From pill-poppers to the shady administrators and their number crunchers, their is plenty of undesirable elements involved in the sports we love.
On Friday night, the fearless Bonita Mersiades received the Football Fans Down Under Award for her role in uncovering the questionable dealings of the FFA in it’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup.
Her soon to be released book, under the working title The Bid, has already put several high-profile noses out of joint.
That she isn’t heavily attached or involved in the regular press gallery is perhaps telling. Distance can equal freedom in reporting stories like this.
There have already been several journalistic casualties of the now infamous World Cup bid.
But the fact that football fans voted Bonita Mersiades Football Writer of the Year says a lot. There is no doubt that her pursuit of the truth has made her some enemies, but few among these are the fans themselves.
Sadly, football in this country has always been a fertile ground for investigative reporting. Johnny Warren has passed away and Michael Cockerill has quietened in recent years, but their work during the 1990s was pivotal in a difficult period for the game.
Still, it’s an issue that crosses all codes and all sports. Of course, most sports writing will always be considered ‘soft’ journalism.
Sports fans don’t want to be bombarded by socio-political ramblings and detailed investigations and the expense of their daily updates and tips.
What Phil Gould thinks of the video referee on any given week, or the likelihood of the GWS Giants ever actually winning a game, or monotone player interviews will still be of most concern to the majority of readers.
Conviction journalism in sport isn’t about happy clapping over your preferred code, or tearing strips of Israel Folau for changing sides again.
The best sports writing happens when brave individuals like FitzSimons and Mersiades follow the money, and go for the jugular over the important issues.
Australian Rules
Guest
Here's what Fuss wrote on this topic just one month ago: "You want to hold an enquiry over a piddling half a million dollars that has allegedly been misappropriated? Heck Aussies need to grow up and stop being naive." "If Aussies want to be players in global business & global politics, we better learn some business savvy … this is bidding for the FIFA WC; not trying to get a stall at the local Farmers’ Market." So on the one hand, Fuss justifies corruption as being A-ok...but in the next month, he's quoting Jesus as some kind of vague reference point to morality (which on the Roar, is frankly ridiculous). The irony in his quote, is that JC was a sort of "whistle blower" back then...and Fuss is attacking the modern whistle blowers today.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Daryl, You're telling me that, as an adult male, you have never observed any corrupt practices in your working life? I can't refute your comment, but it seems extraordinary given the ample evidence of corruption that infects every aspect of society. But, good for you ... just as well no one thinks academics are oblivious to the real-world. ;-) Enjoy your ivory tower - let's hope you never have to venture into, or create relationships within, the commerical world.
Daryl Adair
Guest
Fuss, you are missing the crucial point I am making. I am hardly suggesting that any workplace is inherently free of malpractice or corruption. What I am saying is that where it happens people take a stand against it. As Mersiades did in her role. I have not experienced corruption in my role. If I did I would report it. All part of workplace ethics and proper governance. Never perfect, but what is required are transparent procedures, accountability, people behaving ethically and being rewarded for doing so. You began by railing against Mersiades for doing just that. Either you are an apologist for malpractice, graft and corruption, or you acknowledge that she (and others like her) play an important role in challenging inappropriate behaviours. It seems extraordinary that you are so critical of organisations yet you are so quick to "shoot the messenger" when they deliver something you'd rather not hear. Is football such a sacred cow for you that we should tiptoe around fundamental and serious problems? Are you a cheerleader for football or do you have a capacity for reflective analysis?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"I work as an academic in the university sector" You are kidding if you think "the university sector" is free of graft, corruption & immoral/amoral practices. I've observed faculty administrators allocate research grants in exchange for sexual favours from prospective post-graduate students. I have observed favours (e.g. priority admission for family members, who fail University entry criteria) being granted to corporate & wealthy benefactors. There is ample evidence of plagiarism by academics & fraudulent behaviour including reports on experiments that were never conducted & falsifying experiment results to create the illusion that a researcher's hypothesis has been proved. Either you're very naive, or you are selectively blind to what's happening in your workplace.
Daryl Adair
Guest
I work as an academic in the university sector. Perhaps not commercial enough for the environment you are describing. I have yet to see a brown paper bag slipped under my door. But the point I'm making is that if I did I would, like Mersiades, object to it. Otherwise I would be complicit. As though I worked - like Jack Warner - for FIFA. It is one thing to know of corruption in one's midst; it is another to do something about. Mersiades, Jennings and others have taken the latter view. Have a good evening. It's lights out for me.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"So I’m assuming, therefore, that you’re either unemployed or working for an organisation with “graft and corruption" .. To which you’ll turn a blind eye to" So, Daryl .. in which perfect industry - free from graft, corruption & backhanders - do you operate? I'll repeat - in the commercial world, in every industry I've worked there is graft, corruption & backhanders. I've worked in England, Japan, USA & Australia and I have no reason to believe the rest of the world behaves any differently.
Daryl Adair
Guest
"It’s not justification for anything. It’s simply my view on how the world beholden to capitalism & free-market economics operates." So I'm assuming, therefore, that you're either unemployed or working for an organisation with "graft and corruption". To which, unlike Mersiades, you'll turn a blind eye to. Good for you. If you want a discussion of how FIFA should be run, follow Roger Pielke, an expert on governance via his blog: http://leastthing.blogspot.com/ As for a sport I have faith in, try Hockey Australia. Both women and men on the board, and the organisation is very capably run (notwithstanding its limited budget). Cheers, Daryl
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
It's not justification for anything. It's simply my view on how the world beholden to capitalism & free-market economics operates. Graft & corruption are present in EVERY single industry in which I've operated, or analysed, or observed: mining, medicine, law, construction, finance, military, etc. etc. ... heck, I hate to break it to you but even in AUS politics - local, state & federal - there is graft, corruption, backhanders. But, Aussie hypocrites like to think only "we" are squeaky clean & without sin. A crowd of people once wanted to stone a woman for being a prostitute. A wise bloke intervened & said to the crowd: Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Funnily enough the crowd dispersed quietly. Two thousand years later, we're all still a bunch of hypocrites. Am I happy with how FIFA is run? No. But, how should it be run? I'm not happy with how Australia is run - at locally, at state level or federally. So, I'm all eyes & ears - tell me how you would like FIFA to be run ... BUT you must provide a real, working example of an organisation that lives up to your ideal expectation.
Daryl Adair
Guest
Fuss, so that is your justification for ... what exactly? Governance issues, backhanders, corruption ... what would you be willing to accept? Are you happy, for example, with the way FIFA is run? Would you vote for Sepp Blatter? Don't beat around the bush, tell us what you really think.
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Good article and the topic is one I've tried to lampoon in the past. There's a lot to work with :)
Damiano
Guest
Nice plug for your blog disguised as a comment there Andrew.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
It's quite simple: 1. if you're going to paint yourself as morally superior to your peers, you better have a squeaky clean history 2. if you enter the world of commerce - national, international ... or even suburban - do some research about the environment in which you will be operating/working. If you don't like the way business is conducted - don't join the firm.
Australian Rules
Guest
Well done Andrew. I've thoroughly enjoy (and been appalled by) your first *Lords* and *FOUL!*. The "bitter and vindictive" comment was made by the Roar pre-eminent bully. I wouldn't hold your breath for a response. This article should have been on the "Football" tab.
Daryl Adair
Guest
Bravo Andrew. Silencing whistle blowers has become a poisonous obstacle to liberal democratic values and the quest for ethical transparency in both sport and society. You had the guts to tell the world - at a time when no-one would listen - that both the IOC and FIFA were/are corrupt. No-one's laughing at you now. Too many so-called sport 'journalists' are doing comfortable reporting without actually investigating. They should look in the mirror and see if they find anything worth looking at.
Daryl Adair
Guest
Fuss, your name is apt. Bonita Mersiades is one of the very best writers investigative writers on football in Australia. Can't wait for her expose to appear in print very soon. No sport is immune from problems of governance and accountability. We are seeing accusations of match-fixing in cricket and drugs in two of the footy codes; the failed FFA World Cup bid could end up being another saga. Time will tell. But if this entree is any guide, we should all strap ourselves in for a ride: http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/sport/football/ffa-pays-462200-for-stadium-upgrade-in-the-caribbean/
Andrew Jennings
Guest
I wonder which of your anonymous trolls attacking the splendid Bonita is actually the cowardly Peter Hargitay? In the past he has posted his abuse – usually about me - on The Roar using bogus names. Anybody who knows Bonita would laugh at the poisonous claim that she is 'bitter and vindictive.' What kind of a-hole muppet writes this garbage? Hargitay now controls a peculiar online newsletter 'Inside World Football' based in Switzerland that appears to be part-funded by Sepp Blatter. Hargitay writes a demented and often toxic column under the troll-name 'Inside Insight' Hargitay's latest excess is to launch a criminal prosecution in Switzerland against Bonita because she revealed how he ripped off Australian Football and the FFA. I'm sure co-editor Paul Nicholson (paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com) would be pleased to hear from Australian football fans who dislike trolls. Especially extra-cowardly trolls like Hargitay who seek to intimidate a courageous Australian woman with criminal prosecution in a far-off land in German, a language she does not speak. Here's a recent story she helped me with: http://transparencyinsportblog.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/the-thief-the-conman-and-the-ship-of-aussie-fools/ Now we know what Hargitay did to Australia. No wonder he's trying to silence her. Andrew Jennings
Australian Rules
Guest
Fuss, interesting comments. You declare that people should take a genuine moral stand in the face of corruption (and criticise Bonita for apparently not doing so) yet when the issue arose of Ausralian bribes paid to Warner and Co. For the World Cup bid, your response on the Roar was basically: "welcome to the big boys club, that's what it takes to do business on the world stage". So which is it?
Mark Barton
Guest
I think you will find Bonita did take a stand, you gutless anonymous person. That's why she was sacked before she could leave. She is not disgruntled or bitter. Only lazy people without an answer say that and no doubt you don't know her. And she didn't win for her book excerpts but for all the excellent body of work on Sports Business Insider.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
The person who cries "Foul" after they've been dismissed is exactly the reason Manning is in court. I'm not someone who usually agrees with Fitzsimons, his ego and over the top "I told you so" demeanour is not what I want to read on a Saturday or Sunday morning. But I did support his campaign against Tom Waterhouse. Waterhouse has been an annoying little bugger since he made an appearance on our screens and I don't think it's right that any betting agency should be able to target younger generations through sport. Fitzsimons led the charge and hopefully we'll see Waterhouse gone. I'm still waiting for someone to do some digging into the NRL though. In particular the salary cap auditor and former player, Ian Schubert. It seems as though he's a law unto himself and it's about time someone revealed what happens behind the scenes.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Bonia Mersiades is like any disgruntled ex-employee.. bitter & vindictive. But, such people make excellent whistle-blowers. But, unless people with real power in Football are listening, Bonita is whistling into the wind. If Bonita were such a saint, she would have resigned from the FFA at the first hint of alleged impropriety. I have more respect for people like Andrew Wilkie, Bradley Manning, etc. who are willing to take a stand, whilst they're in the job ... than people, who cry "FOUL" after they've been dismissed.