The media often portrays an objective recount of sporting games. However, the media does not always have a positive emphasis on a particular sport. The impression of the game can therefore be distorted and our opinions of what happened can often be shaped without knowing all the information. This is often the case with sports that are perceived as “battles” like the Rugby League’s State Of Origin.

Whether violence is acceptable, certain athletes being labelled as “heroes” or “villains” can shape our perceptions of those athletes. In recent times, sports media has given particular attention to the athlete’s personal and private lives displaying them as a good person away from the sport.

Sports have recently introduced rules for their clubs to keep their athletes out of harm from the media, including alcohol and pub bans prior to important events or major games.