Stand up and be counted?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 10:29

I have just been speaking to a sports journalist, who I must say made an excellent point regarding boxing fans and the state of the coverage of the sport.

As they rightly pointed out, many of us, including many of us here, often lament the fact that our sport receives little or no coverage in the press, indeed it's a constant source of annoyance.

However, as they pointed out, it's no good us all whingeing on here about it, perhaps it is time a few of us to write off the to the sports editors of the big newspapers to ask why the sport doesn't get covered.

It's surely got to be more effecitve than us collectively moaning on a forum about it? Anyone fancy joining in?

J · Post by J » 19 Jul 2004, 10:31

OF COURSE, POST THE EMAIL ADDY AND CONSIDER IT DONE.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 10:32

Well I am going to email and put it in writing. The thing is where to start. There's a lot of newspapers to go around.

J · Post by J » 19 Jul 2004, 10:33

if you want we could draft up a ltter and post it here, people can then tinker with it and amend accordingly savign them time ?
might get more of a reponse. Ill give it some thought.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 19 Jul 2004, 10:44

Yes i'm up for it...i think i probably know who wrote to you as well James :) I got one too but along the same lines.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:13

Good idea.

tolstoy · Post by **tolstoy** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:16

I've been thinking about this for a while. I'm glad someone decided to give me a nudge - I'm in too!

uncle dekka · Post by **uncle dekka** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:18

I emailed ITV a week or so ago asking why they stopped showing boxing, and whether it was feasable for them to start showing it again. I got an autoresponder saying that they were going to pass on my request to the relevent department. I took that to mean that they couldn't be bothered to reply to me!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:20

I'm sending some questions off to ITV sport's controller this week, I will let you know his reponse.

J · Post by J » 19 Jul 2004, 11:20

Right so we just gonna send a blanket letter to the papers then? What bout tv companies?

ill draft up a letter by the end of the week and post it on here, if anyone wants to use it and amend it accordingly please feel free.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:22

The only danger with a standard letter is that it will be taken less seriously, I would suggest that we all find out the contact details of the relevant people, and we post them here so everyone can send off letters emails etc....

J · Post by J » 19 Jul 2004, 11:27

OK mate fine whatever you think best.

steve689 · Post by **steve689** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:42

Yeah i think if we write individual letters then they are more likely to listen, a standard letter and they might just think it's a small group trying to "spam" them so to speak and as James said may me taken less seriously.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:46

I will try and get the contact details of the sports desk people of the newspapers.

Can anyone remember what that media book is called which lists the editors of the national newspapers, it's a trade book used by people in advertising etc?

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:46

I will try and get the contact details of the sports desk people of the newspapers.

Can anyone remember what that media book is called which lists the editors of the national newspapers, it's a trade book used by people in advertising etc?

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:49

The Writers Handbook features all of the info you need.

Something beginning with B? For the advertisers book. Can't remember its ten years (nearly) since I used it at University.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 19 Jul 2004, 11:54

Thanks Dave, I think I need to get a copy. I am toying with the idea of a proper journalism course in the evenings.