COM3706
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: August 2025
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to examine how the Sowetan, a leading South African daily
newspaper, covers sports stories within its print edition. This research will analyse five
consecutive issues of the Sowetan to identify patterns in sports reporting, including the types
of sports covered, the amount of space allocated to sports compared to other topics, the
placement of sports stories within the paper, and the tone of coverage. The study will also
assess the representation of gender in sports coverage, the sources and voices featured,
and the use of images to convey meaning. Using a content analysis approach, the research
will integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive
understanding of sports journalism in the Sowetan. The proposal outlines the research
problem, subproblems, literature review, theoretical framework, and research design,
culminating in a conclusion summarising the intended outcomes of the study (Du Plooy,
2009).
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to examine how the Sowetan, a leading South African
daily newspaper, covers sports stories within its print edition. This research will
analyse five consecutive issues of the Sowetan to identify patterns in sports
reporting, including the types of sports covered, the amount of space allocated to
sports compared to other topics, the placement of sports stories within the paper,
and the tone of coverage. The study will also assess the representation of gender in
sports coverage, the sources and voices featured, and the use of images to convey
meaning. Using a content analysis approach, the research will integrate both
quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of
sports journalism in the Sowetan. The proposal outlines the research problem,
subproblems, literature review, theoretical framework, and research design,
culminating in a conclusion summarising the intended outcomes of the study (Du
Plooy, 2009).
1.3 SUBPROBLEMS
From the main research problem, three subproblems can be identified:
Subproblem 1: Which sports and sporting events receive the most coverage in the
Sowetan, and how much space is allocated to them compared to other sports? This
will help determine if coverage is concentrated on a few popular sports or spread
across a wider variety.
Subproblem 2: What is the nature of the coverage in terms of tone (positive,
negative, or neutral) and whose voices are most frequently represented? This will
reveal whether the reporting favours particular perspectives, such as players,
coaches, fans, or officials.
Subproblem 3: How does the Sowetan represent gender in sports coverage, both in
the choice of subjects and in the use of images? This will determine whether male
and female athletes receive equitable representation and whether visual content
reinforces or challenges gender stereotypes (Du Plooy, 2009).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2025
Unique Number:
Due Date: August 2025
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to examine how the Sowetan, a leading South African daily
newspaper, covers sports stories within its print edition. This research will analyse five
consecutive issues of the Sowetan to identify patterns in sports reporting, including the types
of sports covered, the amount of space allocated to sports compared to other topics, the
placement of sports stories within the paper, and the tone of coverage. The study will also
assess the representation of gender in sports coverage, the sources and voices featured,
and the use of images to convey meaning. Using a content analysis approach, the research
will integrate both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive
understanding of sports journalism in the Sowetan. The proposal outlines the research
problem, subproblems, literature review, theoretical framework, and research design,
culminating in a conclusion summarising the intended outcomes of the study (Du Plooy,
2009).
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
1.1 INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study is to examine how the Sowetan, a leading South African
daily newspaper, covers sports stories within its print edition. This research will
analyse five consecutive issues of the Sowetan to identify patterns in sports
reporting, including the types of sports covered, the amount of space allocated to
sports compared to other topics, the placement of sports stories within the paper,
and the tone of coverage. The study will also assess the representation of gender in
sports coverage, the sources and voices featured, and the use of images to convey
meaning. Using a content analysis approach, the research will integrate both
quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of
sports journalism in the Sowetan. The proposal outlines the research problem,
subproblems, literature review, theoretical framework, and research design,
culminating in a conclusion summarising the intended outcomes of the study (Du
Plooy, 2009).
1.3 SUBPROBLEMS
From the main research problem, three subproblems can be identified:
Subproblem 1: Which sports and sporting events receive the most coverage in the
Sowetan, and how much space is allocated to them compared to other sports? This
will help determine if coverage is concentrated on a few popular sports or spread
across a wider variety.
Subproblem 2: What is the nature of the coverage in terms of tone (positive,
negative, or neutral) and whose voices are most frequently represented? This will
reveal whether the reporting favours particular perspectives, such as players,
coaches, fans, or officials.
Subproblem 3: How does the Sowetan represent gender in sports coverage, both in
the choice of subjects and in the use of images? This will determine whether male
and female athletes receive equitable representation and whether visual content
reinforces or challenges gender stereotypes (Du Plooy, 2009).
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
