The Voices behind Journalism

Football has always been the most watched sport in the world and arguably brings nations together. It symbolizes an “international language” that surpasses all barriers and it some countries, it even represents a “religion. Take for example, Brazil; five time world cup winners and obviously the most feared nation in football.


The Religion of Football

The amount of news coverage for football is worldwide and sports journalist takes it in their stride to cover a game in most detail. From the atmosphere of the stadiums to the comments of the managers and players themselves, most football journalists would ink all the details down on paper.

However, with the rise of Twitter and the recent increase in football players using such social networking services, fans enter the personal realm of a player that even the hardest pressed and intuitive journalist cannot reach.

Even more so……. Twitter posts represent the emotional aspect of a player. Also, it allows fans the chance to be in touch with the lives of their idols. In my opinion, the usage of twitter by football players is an “extension” of sports journalism.
For instance, ex-Liverpool bamboozle boy Ryan Babel was fined 10,000 pounds after posting a Photoshop picture of referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United jersey on Twitter after Liverpool’s lost to their rivals.

Ryan Babel's photo tweet

Also, he wrote: "And they call him one of the best referees. That's a joke." Babel’s crude and sarcasm came after he felt that the referee had been on United’s side after The Reds lost at Old Trafford.

Babel or Bamboozle?

Do take some time to view the video below. It explains how Twitter can be used for the wrong reasons costing individuals their jobs and tarnishing their reputation. Despite using the platform for fast and updated news, we as journalists should also be aware that it leaves us vulnerable to “emotional” and rash remarks as Ryan Babel will attest.



More recently, Arsenal’s young starlet Jack Wilshere twitted after The Gunners lost to Barcelona in the European Cup. Despite the sarcasm directed at the referee, the Englishmen thank the fans for their support and apologize for the defeat. Arsenal’s captain Cese Fabregas also deeply apologized for Arsenal’s exit after his mistake led to one of Barca’s goals. The crucial element in these tweets is not what is said but the fact that it is said.

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere

When sporting stars tweet, they give additional insight and a more personal feel to the fans. In a sense, superstars submerge themselves and allow themselves to come off as “friends” with their fans gaining even more support for their clubs and themselves. This somewhat represents a more personalize marketing tool for footballers as they update their “followers” on what’s going on in their lives.

Twitter is almost famous among Hollywood actors like Ian Somerhalder and James Franco. Due to my girlfriend’s infatuation with these Hollywood heart throbs, I have learnt that both are cat lovers and that both are extremely pro-environment. Besides acting, both of them live a very simple life and do not uphold the typical Hollywood image lifestyle. Something which fans might not be aware of if it wasn’t for Twitter. More importantly, how often do we even get a profile feature on any Hollywood star? Even if we do so, how much personal information will be revealed?





Ian Somerhalder














What do you think?