Europe is cracking down on ‘sexualised’ broadcasting in women’s athletics. Australia must catch up

The Conversation reports that European Athletics has partnered with the European Broadcasting Union to establish new guidelines against sexualized coverage of women athletes, targeting voyeuristic camera angles and slow-motion replays that serve no storytelling purpose. The guidelines were developed with Olympic athletes who described how invasive camerawork distracts from competition and exposes them to online abuse—with nine in ten elite sportswomen reporting gendered harassment online. Australia has no comparable framework; women's sports represent only fifteen to twenty percent of sports news coverage domestically, and only twelve percent of camera operators are women. The new standards set a global benchmark for respectful coverage that prioritizes athleticism over appearance.

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