Journalistic credibility is one of the most important pillars of journalism. To practice the art of journalism, the profession of writing and communicating news for the benefit of a particular community of people, it is required that all six values: balance, accuracy, leadership, accessibility, judgment and credibility, be practiced simultaneously. Journalists who are fortunate enough to earn and sustain credibility with their readers can reap the benefits of a fruitful career.Even though American society expect male and female sportswriters to have a certain level of credibility when reporting the X's and O's of sports, the credibility of a woman sportswriters is far more likely to be attacked by sport fans, athletes, and the national media than their male colleagues. Pam Oliver, a sideline reporter for Fox, was accused in 2007 of misquoting NFL quarterback, Donavan McNabb, about his unpredictable future with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to Oliver, “It’s not easy being called a big, fat liar. You wake up to that and it’s very unpleasant.” Oliver went on to say that her relationship with the quarterback is irreversibly damaged. Lisa Guerrero, a sideline reporter for ABC, was replaced after her credibility and experience was questioned by the national media after one stumbling commentary of a football game. The national media criticized her performance and suggested that maybe she got her job based on her looks and not her background. Sports Commentators have always been hired with appearance in mind, but the national media has suggested that women sports reporters receive their jobs based on their television friendly looks and not the quality of their experience. High profile incidents such as these are very damaging to the reputation of all female sports journalists.
Every columnist or commentator gets harsh feed back about their performance; however, women sports writers are subjective to receiving hostile correspondence demanding they be reassigned or fired from their jobs because of a misquote or fumble of a report. The double standard for an on air blooper can cause detrimental harm to a female sports writer's credibility and career. Women can't afford to make the same mistakes men can and recover from them.
If Senior ESPN (Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) analyst, Chris Berman, were to slip and say innings instead of quarters during a football commentary, people would overlook his gasp, but if a veteran female reporter is lost for words during a halftime report, she is characterized as having a "senior moment". Unfortunately, some people neglect to acknowledge the importance and impact that women have in the male dominated world of sports.
