Silence in the Media: Ignoring Important Stories

Is the media composed of activists or cowards? This question arises when journalists go silent on pressing issues. The avoidance of tough questions may stem from the fear of undermining a supported cause or facing backlash from peers.

WNBA Anthem Walk-Offs

Recent events in the WNBA Finals between the Atlanta Dream and the Golden State Valkyries highlight this issue. Before Games 1 and 2, both teams left the court during the national anthem. Despite being significant, major news outlets neglected to address it. Only OutKick reported on the matter, while others, like the San Jose Mercury News, focused on Alanis Morissette’s performance instead. Even SF Gate criticized conservative media without discussing the players’ actions.

This silence may indicate a reluctance to confront the players or ask probing questions post-game. OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske was prepared with inquiries at press conferences, but wasn’t called upon. It seems WNBA officials might want to prevent discomfort for the players, disregarding the necessity of journalistic inquiry.

Hostility Toward XX-XY Shirt Wearers

Another underreported occurrence was the hostility Valkyries fans showed at Game 1 toward those wearing XX-XY shirts. Jennifer Sey from XX-XY Athletics shared a video capturing abusive comments directed at her. The clip gained immense attention online, but mainstream media largely ignored it.

Yahoo! Sports published a piece republished from Basketball Network that appeared to side against Sey. The article suggested moving past controversies and focusing on the game. However, the issue of gender participation in sports remains relevant, pointing to ongoing societal debates on the subject.

High School Cross Country Protest

A high school runner from Camas High switched from the boys to the girls team midway through the season, causing disruption. His success in girls’ races sparked protests from other competitors. Despite national coverage by Fox News and others, major outlets like ESPN remained silent.

The Seattle Times mentioned the protests, but didn’t critique the participation of the male athlete in girls’ sports. This silence suggests an aversion to addressing potentially contentious topics.

Journalistic Integrity at Risk

Journalists face judgment based on what they report and what they omit. Too many avoid telling certain stories, prioritizing peer opinion over public interest. Whether due to activism or cowardice, such omissions deprive the public of crucial information.

Matt Calkins is a columnist for Outkick, focusing on the intersection of sports and culture. Previously, he served as a sports columnist at the Seattle Times and the San Diego Union Tribune. His experience includes extracting notable quotes from athletes and engaging in unique reporting endeavors.