Table of contentsIntroductionMedia representation of sports figuresHerschelle GibbsOscar PistoriusCaster SemenyaConclusionIntroductionA democratic government is a government of the people, or of the people and by the people. For this to happen, both parties must work together to make it effective. This requires communication, however. This is where the media comes in. The media acts as a catalyst for democracy and development, helping to give meaning to public participation. If the media are honest and committed to their work, democracy will necessarily function more effectively, and the flaws present in any democratic system can certainly be filled to the greatest satisfaction of the people. On the contrary, if the media are biased, corrupt and favor only one party or a few individuals, they can prove very dangerous for the proper functioning of democracy. The media has a responsibility to always be professional and authentic. In doing so, they have a responsibility to ensure that thorough research is conducted without any bias. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay The way the media portrays sports figures is mostly driven by their own pocket. Thus, the media tends to adapt a story or truth in such a way as to encourage their viewers/readers to react. The media is often the public's only source of information on topics such as sports figures. Therefore, society is led to believe only what the media produces. This can create a false image of certain sports figures. For example, media may present positive or negative behaviors, which may in turn influence the opinions of their viewers. On the positive side, through television broadcasting, viewers can not only understand the rules of the game, but also see models of success that inspire them. However, the media does not only broadcast positive information, the negative aspects of the athlete are often exposed, which can also cause viewers to have negative opinions about that athlete. Media Representation of Sports PersonalitiesIn today's society, media is a part of our daily lives and we rely heavily on it. . It has also become increasingly accessible thanks to the rapid evolution of technology. Likewise, an increasing number of media companies are expanding, creating greater competition. This can lead to media companies manipulating their information to gain support. Sports stars are being spotlighted and exploited more often than before. For example, athletes such as: Herschelle Gibbs, Oscar Pistorius and Caster Semenya. The media is constantly looking for controversial topics to expose. Herschelle Gibbs This was the case for Herschelle Gibbs, who was the Proteas opening batsman. In 2000, on April 7, the Delhi Crime Police had revealed a recording of a conversation between Proteas captain Hansie Cronjie and Sanjay Chawla, who represented a betting organization, about match-fixing. Among the captain, three others were also found guilty, including Gibbs. According to the recording, Gibbs was offered fifteen thousand dollars for scoring fewer than 20 points. Gibbs, however, reportedly declined the offer and scored 74 points, thus only being fined and given a 6-month ban. However, seven years later, Gibbs made racist comments during a test match. HisComments were picked up by the stump microphone and broadcast to the world. As a result of his actions, he initially faced a two-year ban, but this was changed to only being banned for certain games. Gibbs reported that his comments were directed solely at his own teammates and were directed at a portion of the crowd who had been verbally abusive to his teammate, Paul Harris. You might also be interested. Essay Title Idea GeneratorHerschelle Gibbs's rights were violated by focusing on his banning, his involvement in match-fixing, and portraying him as a racist. The media changed the perception of Gibbs by choosing to highlight the scandal rather than all of his claims and excuses regarding his actions. Due to the negative media attention, Gibbs might avoid the public for fear of being judged. Even his future could be affected. For example, if he wanted to become a coach, he would most likely be boycotted due to his reputation given by the media.Oscar PistoriusOn February 14, 2013, Oscar Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva. Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria. Pistorius admitted he shot Reeva, but claimed it was a tragic accident because he mistook her for an intruder. His trial lasted more than 7 months, after which he was found not guilty. However, the following year the court overturned the original case and found Pistorius guilty of murder. The case was taken to the High Court of South Africa, where the case was followed by thousands of South Africans. So the media had a huge influence on how Oscar would be perceived. Both attorneys on both sides agreed that this case would most likely be decided based on how the media played it, as they would ultimately determine the public's verdict. Pistorius was a South African Paralympic sprinter who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. His girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, ​​a model, was portrayed as an innocent victim of her boyfriend's murder. Although the media has never published biased content, they have managed to highlight Pistorius in a negative way, which affects public opinion. The media portrayed Pistorius as an aggressive and controlling athlete, frustrated by his disability. He was born with fibular hemimelia, a term given to people born with a fibula in their lower leg. When he was eleven years old, both of his legs, below the knees, were amputated. Oscar Pistorius' human rights were violated because he was portrayed in a negative light by the media. This allowed him to show people what type of person he really is. Those who followed the media and never knew him personally would assume, based on the media's reputation of him, that he was an aggressive, cold-blooded murderer. Due to the negative media coverage, Pistorius would most likely have avoided public judgment. As a result, his freedom would be restricted. Pistorius also tried to take the murder conviction to the Constitutional Court, but it also refused to hear the case. He is currently serving his thirteen-year prison sentence.Caster SemenyaCaster Semenya is a South African Olympic middle-distance track runner, notably in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters events, where she won several gold medals. In 2009, at the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin, she was thrust into the spotlight when she won gold. But it's not the positive attention the country was hoping for. The IAAF said it had to investigate Semenya after she improved her 800 and 1,500 meter times by 8 seconds and 25 seconds..