D Word2 Guide On Diversity For The Sports Media Launched

Leon Mann presents the D Word 2 Guide on diversity in the sports media

A guide designed to help the sports media become more diverse has been launched by the Black Collective of Media in Sport (BCOMS).

The D Word2 Guide offers expert guidance on how to address under-representation across broadcast, written and online media in sport.

Research conducted by BCOMS last year found just one woman was sent to the Euros across 51 roles by British newspapers. Across 456 roles, just eight went to black journalists who had not previously played professional sport. Only six of the 456 roles went to BAME women.

The content of the guide is based on contributions from the highly successful D Word2 Conference, hosted by BT Sport last October.

To launch the guide, top influencers from the sports media formed a panel to discuss diversity in the industry, reflect on the positive achievements of diverse sports journalists and explore the opportunities that outlets such as YouTube offer the next generation.

Guardian head of sport Owen Gibson, sports journalist and recent host of 2016 GLO CAF awards Mimi Fawaz, UK Sports Partners Manager at YouTube, Dan Pheysey, and the UK’s first black sports editor of a national daily newspaper Kadeem Simmonds from the Morning Star, made up the panel. Channel 4 news sports reporter Jordan Jarrett-Bryan hosted the launch.

The panel discuss diversity in the sports media at D Word 2 Guide launch

BCOMS founder Leon Mann, who presented the guide to those gathered at Waterhouse Square in London, said:

“The lack of diversity in the sports media right now is unacceptable, and we need greater commitment and conviction from decision makers to change this.

“This guide brings together the ideas discussed and debated at the conference, and serves as a list of action points for the industry. What we need now is to turn words into action and positive outcomes.”

You can download the D Word 2 Guide here.