Ben Dorgan
My final year major project analysed the role of the the national broadcaster, RTE, and its role in the creation of a sporting prioritisation structure through its media channels which in return favoured the heavily financially funded Rugby and GAA, but in doing so marginalised, discredited and limited growth opportunities for further sporting organisations such as the League of Ireland (Ireland's domestic football league) when in a dire time of need for efficient marketing and coverage due to financial insecurities.
This project aimed to question RTE's role and title as the national broadcaster by analysing its treatment of the League of Ireland in a number of avenues while comparing it directly to the broadcasting metrics of GAA and Rugby when shown.
This project does not discredit the demand for GAA and Rugby, but rather outlines the pedestal both sports have been placed on by RTE in a marketing and communications sector that allowed limited opportunities for the LOI and other sporting communities to thrive.
As well as this, this project examines not just the financial effect of the LOI not being granted sufficient coverage through media channels, but the cultural effect amongst Irish football supporter metrics which has contributed to a large following of foreign-based sports products in Ireland.
Possibly the strongest and main objective of this project was to show that there is a prevalent demand for domestic football in the country, and RTE both rejected and neglected the surge in potential and popularity for the sport in favour of a sporting media elitist hierarchy which both marginalises and discredits a number of thriving sporting communities within the country, hence the questioning of RTE's role as a sufficient national broadcaster in a sporting avenue.
This project found that it was clear there was a tier-split in broadcasting priorities and astonishingly attitude towards sport by the national broadcaster.
Brash interviews by RTE's head of sport on the topic, underage Rugby games showcased over LOI matches and lacklustre broadcasting qualities when a LOI game was programmed showed clear evidence that domestic football was an afterthought for the national broadcaster, with no sincere care or willingness to improve its promotional status.
A survey I conducted (which included answers from personalities within the Irish football media circle) showcased an overriding response of criticism towards RTE's coverage of domestic football as well as football in comparison to GAA and Rugby. This confirmed it is a cultural neglect felt on a wider national scale.
My thesis examined this topic in in a shorter piece and with a more critical angle, with a sharper focus on broadcasting metrics, political economy of media and sport in Ireland, attendance figures and demand of domestic football and further examples.
You can find a copy of it below.
Hi, I'm Ben.
I am a 22 year old freelance sportswriter who recently concluded the course in New Media Studies.
An experienced writer with a particular passion for domestic football in the country, This course allowed me to develop and enrich my skills in storytelling, interviewing, journalism, working in groups amongst many others.
Alongside this, I met some incredible figures in my time here who helped me hugely in my studies.
My work outside of college can be seen with Extratime.com, Thesportshacks.com and the Sligo Rovers Football Club media team.
