MMA Journalism Roundtable: Media Pressure
By Yael Grauer on Jul 31, 2009
Welcome to the fifth of a ten-part series on the blacks, whites and greys in MMA journalism. I had some challenging questions and Jim Murphy of the Savage Science, Zak Woods of SB Nation and Watch Kalib Run and MMA Opinion’s very own Joshua Stein stepped up to the plate to share their perspective. Today we’ll be discussing media pressure (or whether there actually is any or not). As always, please leave your own thoughts in the comments section!
There seems to be at least perceived pressure to cover information that other people are covering. Do you think this is where a lot of problems arise?
Check out everyone’s answers after the jump!
Jim Murphy:
As far as what we do at SAVSCI, I’ve never really felt media ‘peer pressure’. We try to have our own view of what’s ‘newsworthy’ and what’s ‘trivial’. You’ll see a lot of sites report on an untelevised undercard fight that’s been signed for a UFC event six months down the road like its front page earth shattering news. We don’t do that. The totality of fight sports past present and future is broad enough that a creative media outlet has no problem coming up with content during an otherwise slow ‘news cycle’ without reporting on what Dan Henderson had for breakfast. At least as far as we’re concerned, when we cover something everyone else is we do so because its newsworthy. Maybe we’re somewhat iconoclastic in this regard, but if every other MMA media outlet is covering Chris Leben changing to a new brand of athletic tape as ‘breaking news’ they’re welcome to do so. But we’re not going to feel compelled to follow—not to toot our own horn, but if more media outlets—both within the MMA community and beyond—clearly actualized and confidently stuck to their editorial ‘world view’ we’d all be better off for it.
There is a great deal of pressure to cover what others are writing about. The problem exists when we begin to follow a “herd mentality” and lose focus of certain events or narratives. For instance Mirko Filipovic’s new contract with the UFC. Many people, including Dana White, attacked him as cowardly and two-faced. However Filipovic claimed not to have signed a contract. In the end it appears that Filipovic was vindicated as he did not have a contract signed with Dream. How many sites or writers reported this fact and then confessed that their editorial pieces were wrong?
Josh Stein:
I don’t really see a problem with it. There’s only so much information in the mainstream consciousness of the sport. That’s true for any sport. Everyone talks about the UFC, WEC and the other major shows. My hope is that we have enough interesting takes on the sport so that everyone can add something to the conversation. If I have any disappointment on the issue, it’s that some writers simply don’t know how to say anything interesting and, as a result, simply provide information about what’s happening, without any sort of input or commentary that helps inform and educate readers.
Readers: please share your opinions in the comments section!
Filed Under: MMA
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Yael,
Great questions and great idea!
This was an interesting discussion. Many times I think of the credentials of some of the MMA writers, and I can’t help but think the “herd” mentality is an easy trap to fall into when writing = paycheck and notoriety rather than passion. Of course, we all want/need a blend of all three, but when those balances begin to tip, when the way to get noticed (and paid) is to write rumors as facts (Kimo’s death, among others) the Internet provides writers a ridiculously efficient way to avalanche.
Josh, I think you nailed it when you said: “…some writers simply don’t know how to say anything interesting and, as a result, simply provide information about what’s happening, without any sort of input or commentary that helps inform and educate readers.” When we do read something timely, trustworthy, intellectually opinionated and creatively written – on Sherdog occasionally – I immediately turn to that site as my source.
Thanks!
~Cameron
I hate the herd mentality. It drives me insane.
If 99 sites are reporting the same thing and 1 has something different or a unique spin on it, I’m definitely reading that 1 unique site and picking one out of the herd.
I agree that some things have to be covered, but you can always put your own spin on things or take it from a simple announcement into a breakdown or something different.
My two cents… Canadian.
Cameron, I’m glad you liked that quote. Part of why I like writing for MMA “Opinion” is that it’s not just about reporting what’s happening (though we certainly do that sometimes). It’s about trying to offer some insight, some analysis, some perspective and, occasionally, some emotion or reaction. It’s my way of finding something interesting to say about issues that have been beaten to death by the journalists who insist on reporting things with the emotional energy of the Associated Press (and, as a result, read like something produced by zombie typists).
Anyway, that’s sort of a second thought, added in.
I will write straightforward news-only articles when I have conflicting feelings on the topic, or lean a certain way but don’t feel strongly enough to expound upon it… but for the most part I agree with y’all.