This study explores differences in the reporting of female and male sports journalists. Based on a brief review of the literature related to gender differences in sports journalism and the stereotypes associated with the work of female sports journalists, the paper identifies a purported ‘female writing style’ characterized by a focus on soft news, an emotional approach to reporting and reduced interest in statistical and analytical data. Using a quantitative content analysis, I reviewed 167 audio-visual and 50 written ice-hockey reports about Czech Extraliga produced by six sports journalists, who worked in leading Czech sports media departments. I observed the frequency with which the reporters presented statistical data, evaluated a performance, described emotions, recounted personal stories, and used original phrases. Comparing women’s and men’s output, it emerged that gender of the author did not have a dominant influence on the form of their reports and did not impact the use of specific language elements.

Institute of Communication Studies and Journalism Faculty of Social Sciences Charles University Prague Czech Republic

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