The media has faced criticism for its decision to use a photo of Bukayo Saka following England’s loss to Iceland. Some critics have deemed this choice “divisive” and are urging media outlets to exercise greater responsibility in their coverage.
Former England striker Ian Wright took to social media to express his disappointment with the media’s handling of the situation. He believes that the individuals responsible for selecting the back page images are fully cognizant of the impact their decisions carry.
Notably, The Star and The Sun were singled out for featuring a photo of Saka on their back pages, while The Telegraph utilized his image to accompany a post about player ratings. Furthermore, the BBC Sport website’s live text employed a picture of Saka after he came on as a substitute during the match.
Tony Burnett, the chief executive of Kick It Out, authored an open letter to newspaper editors, urging them to consider the impact of their coverage. He underscored the media’s responsibility to portray diversity and fairness in their reporting, acknowledging the progress that has been made in diversifying the industry.
Burnett proceeded to question whether the current England squad will encounter the same level of abuse that Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho endured after the previous Euros. He emphasized the importance of holding media outlets accountable for their portrayal of black players, as it sends a message to both fans and online abusers.
Delroy Corinaldi, executive director of Black Footballers Partnership, echoed these sentiments, criticizing the media for perpetuating past behaviors. He raised concerns about the unfair targeting of young black footballers, emphasizing the need for media organizations to learn from their past mistakes.
This is not the first instance that the media has been scrutinized for its portrayal of black footballers. In the aftermath of England’s loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, Saka, Rashford, and Sancho faced racial abuse on social media after missing penalties.
In response to the backlash, football journalist Darren Lewis called for a more thoughtful approach to the content shared with the public. He noted that the use of Saka’s image as the face of England’s defeat raises important questions about the impact of media coverage on young players.
It is evident that the media’s handling of Saka’s image has initiated a broader conversation about the responsibility of journalists and editors. As these discussions progress, it is imperative for media outlets to consider the ethical implications of their reporting and the impact it has on the individuals involved.
The use of a photograph of Saka to illustrate England’s defeat has sparked a debate on the media’s portrayal of black footballers. The criticism directed at media outlets raises important questions about the industry’s responsibility in reporting and the need for more thoughtful, inclusive coverage.