State of play: A survey of sports journalists in Australia

Abstract

Sports journalism in Australia has undergone immense change over the past decade, with many factors contributing to the widespread upheaval. Utilizing a representative survey, this study of 120 of the nation’s sports journalists provides insight into how journalists in a specialized sector of the media are operating during a period of transformation. While previous surveys of Australian journalists have focused on profiling sports journalists, this study offers an updated overview of the profession following a decade of change and provides an understanding of the perceptions of sports journalists on key issues in contemporary newsrooms. The findings highlight that there have been some substantial changes. Overall, the respondents paint a much gloomier picture of sports journalism in Australia than previously.