A1 Journal article (refereed)
From studio to screen : The production processes of Polish televised football and discursive (re)constructions of race/ethnicity (2024)

van Lienden, A., van Sterkenburg, J., Sommier, M., & Kossakowski, R. (2024). From studio to screen : The production processes of Polish televised football and discursive (re)constructions of race/ethnicity. Media, Culture and Society, 46(6), 1162-1180. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437241229191

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: van Lienden, Arne; van Sterkenburg, Jacco; Sommier, Mélodine; Kossakowski, Radoslaw

Journal or series: Media, Culture and Society

ISSN: 0163-4437

eISSN: 1460-3675

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 21/02/2024

Volume: 46

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 1162-1180

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437241229191

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93794

Abstract

In this study, we shed light on the relationship between the production processes in televised football in Poland and representations of race/ethnicity. Previous research has extensively explored representations of race/ethnicity in mediated sports texts, but there remains a gap in understanding the production processes and their connection to these representations, particularly in contexts beyond the Anglosphere. In order to address this gap, in this study we conducted interviews with football media professionals and conducted field visits at football media organizations in Poland. Our findings reveal that football media professionals employ various discursive strategies when giving meaning to racial/ethnic diversity in televised football and within the football media workplace, which occasionally incorporate stereotypes. Generally, football media professionals took a color-evasive stance, and argued that they do not speak through racial/ethnic stereotypes in their work. Critical reflections on the production process are also hindered by the everyday practices and dominant working cultures in the football media office, which is constructed and maintained by media professionals as a predominantly White and masculine space. We contextualize these findings in light of previous studies on race/ethnicity in sport media, and the complex discourses surrounding Whiteness in the Polish context.

Keywords: ethnicity; representation (mental objects); stereotypies; racialisation; discourse; media; sports journalists; football; television broadcasting; programme production

Free keywords: ethnicity; Poland; production study; race; representations; televised football

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3