,COM3706 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 - DUE August 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
1.1 INTRODUCTION [6]
The purpose of this study is to investigate how The Sowetan, a
popular South African daily newspaper, covers sports stories.
The research will examine the frequency, prominence, and
framing of sports content in The Sowetan to determine
whether certain sports, athletes, or perspectives are
prioritised over others. This study is motivated by the
recognition that media coverage plays a critical role in shaping
public perceptions of sport, influencing audience interests,
and reflecting societal values. The assignment will be
structured as follows: the research problem statement will
define the main issue under investigation, followed by three
subproblems that guide the study. A literature review will
summarise previous studies on media coverage of sports,
while the theoretical framework will discuss the framing
theory underpinning this research. The research design will
detail the methodology, including data collection and analysis
procedures, and the conclusion will summarise the key points
discussed.
, 1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE [5]
Despite South Africa’s rich and diverse sporting culture, there
are concerns that media coverage, particularly in The
Sowetan, may disproportionately focus on certain sports and
underrepresent others. This may result in unbalanced public
perceptions of sporting activities and limited visibility for less-
publicised sports or athletes. The main research problem is to
determine how The Sowetan frames and prioritises sports
stories in its daily coverage.
1.3 SUBPROBLEMS [5]
1. To identify which sports receive the most coverage in The
Sowetan during the study period.
2. To determine the prominence given to sports stories in
The Sowetan in terms of placement, length, and headline
size.
3. To analyse the framing techniques used by The Sowetan
in its sports coverage, such as the choice of angles,
themes, and language.
1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW [10]
Previous studies have shown that sports media coverage often
reflects broader societal patterns and interests, with a
Semester 2 2025 - DUE August 2025; 100%
TRUSTED Complete, trusted solutions and
explanations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE,ASSURED EXCELLENCE
1.1 INTRODUCTION [6]
The purpose of this study is to investigate how The Sowetan, a
popular South African daily newspaper, covers sports stories.
The research will examine the frequency, prominence, and
framing of sports content in The Sowetan to determine
whether certain sports, athletes, or perspectives are
prioritised over others. This study is motivated by the
recognition that media coverage plays a critical role in shaping
public perceptions of sport, influencing audience interests,
and reflecting societal values. The assignment will be
structured as follows: the research problem statement will
define the main issue under investigation, followed by three
subproblems that guide the study. A literature review will
summarise previous studies on media coverage of sports,
while the theoretical framework will discuss the framing
theory underpinning this research. The research design will
detail the methodology, including data collection and analysis
procedures, and the conclusion will summarise the key points
discussed.
, 1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE [5]
Despite South Africa’s rich and diverse sporting culture, there
are concerns that media coverage, particularly in The
Sowetan, may disproportionately focus on certain sports and
underrepresent others. This may result in unbalanced public
perceptions of sporting activities and limited visibility for less-
publicised sports or athletes. The main research problem is to
determine how The Sowetan frames and prioritises sports
stories in its daily coverage.
1.3 SUBPROBLEMS [5]
1. To identify which sports receive the most coverage in The
Sowetan during the study period.
2. To determine the prominence given to sports stories in
The Sowetan in terms of placement, length, and headline
size.
3. To analyse the framing techniques used by The Sowetan
in its sports coverage, such as the choice of angles,
themes, and language.
1.4 LITERATURE REVIEW [10]
Previous studies have shown that sports media coverage often
reflects broader societal patterns and interests, with a
