Sport Ireland has launched its most comprehensive study of gender balance in Irish sports media coverage.
Overall, the study shows women remain significantly underrepresented in Irish sports media.
Among the key findings from the latest report, which was carried out in conjunction with media intelligence and data technology company Isentia are:
- 18% of all Irish national sports news coverage was about women's sport
- 75% of all Irish national sports news coverage is focused on just five sports
- 22% of Irish national radio sports programme coverage focused on women's sport.
Women’s sports news coverage reached its highest point in August, when several major events took place, including the opening of the Rugby World Cup and the finals of the All-Ireland Camogie and All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships.
"The media is crucial in creating the conditions for balanced coverage," Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said. "It’s a suitable time to call for a renewed commitment to build on these findings and aspire to global leadership in gender-balanced coverage."
Three women – Kate O’Connor, Sarah Healy and Leona Maguire - appeared among the 20 most visible athletes by volume of coverage, while two of the top-20 most visible teams were women's, (the Ireland rugby and football teams).
Consistent with news coverage, football, rugby union, and Gaelic football were the leading sports by volume, together accounting for over half of analysed radio stories (56.4%).
"This is an especially important piece of research and it’s great to have it out during Women in Sport Week," Minister for Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said.
"Our female sportspeople continue to achieve wonderful things, both nationally and on the world stage. There’s lots there to report on and celebrate. More must be done to bring all these remarkable stories to greater prominence. The Government, as it has done before, will continue to champion women’s sport."
