Social Issues Related to the Ashes Event - Essay Example

Running Head: Media Portrayal of Race, and Gender during the Ashes 2006 A Research Paper on Social Issues Related to the Ashes In APA Style Name University Introduction The Ashes is one of the major sporting events in terms of the sport cricket. The said game has been known as a competition that is between England and Australia. The Ashes holds the established record in terms of the oldest cricket competition in the world. The tradition was initiated in the 1882 in England. The said even made way for the competition between the two countries and was well motivated in the memory of the even that shed light in the dawning of the term "Ashes" (Birley, 2003) The tournament marked the initial triumph of the Australia over England in any field most especially in terms of any sports. Such lost for the English people can be considered as a wake up call and thus can be perceived as main reason for the continuous kindling and motivation of the sport in participation of the two countries and even other countries. This is due to the fact that the even is continuously attracting participants from different parts of the world and the members of the international community. From the onset of the tradition of the sports cricket, The Ashes can be considered as the most important. The influence that the said event made already transcends the world of sports. In fact, it can be considered to have influenced the different aspects of the society. This can be perceived in terms of the social, economic, cultural and even the political aspects (Birley, 2003) The Ashes, Then and Now Through the ages, the Ashes had surpassed the different challenges that a game can meet. The said sports can, in fact, be considered as an institution already. The said status of the game can be attributed to the stretch of long and colourful history that the event already surmounted. The establishment of the Ashes as an important event in cricket can be regarded as the most influential event. In terms of the history of the game itself, the most important part can be identified as the earliest and the latest years, although the continuous drive to present and organize the Test contributes largely for each year of commencement (Cricinfo, 2006). The early years are essential for the recognition of the Ashes due to the fact that the early part of the development of the tournament represents the establishment of the rules and the internal workings and even the administration of the game. On the other hand the latter years, which can be recognized as simultaneously occurring through the development of the modern time, can be recognized and commended due to the fact that the event was able to survive even through the through the introduction of a number of pastimes, events, sports and other form of entertainment (Birley, 2003). The charisma of the game can be attributed to the fact that the rivalry of the two participating countries can be considered as an attractive factor. The hype of the competition along with a number of different factors that even heighten the excitement of the event can be recognized as on of the reasons behind the status of The Ashes (Birley, 2003). There are important factors that can be considered that make the event, the Ashes, as one of the recognized and popular sports in the international community and the world. These factors can be considered as consciously or unconsciously being tackled through the involvement in the game, though as a participant or as an observer. Included in the said factors are the media and other social factors such as the race, the class and the gender, making the event an attraction in both the positive and the negative sense of the word. Due to the effects of these factors, it can be perceived important to be able to present the interaction of the said concepts. One of the approaches to be able to achieve the particular goal is through the determination of the effects of the portrayal of the media, in different forms, on the other factors such as the race, class and gender. The Ashes 2006-2007 Due to the recognized influence of the mass media in any aspects of the society, it can be perceived important to determine the effects of the media in the present status of the Ashes in the modern era. In terms of the attention being received by the competition it can be considered fitted to be able to present the different notions related. The media can be considered as the main source of information regarding the coveted competition. In this regard, the portrayal and the presentation of the information regarding the event can be considered as an essential factor in the society. In considering the positions of the two countries, Australia and England, winning the game had been part of the existence of the nation (Roy, 2007; Warner, 2004). The supporters of the two countries depend on the information being given by the different forms of media. The Australian and the English teams are supported by almost every institution in their designated countries. The Australian team can be considered as a strong team to have a winning streak. The team from Australia can be considered as tough challenge to the team from the English region. Looking through the effects that can be brought about by the game, it can be perceived to determine a certain way of life of the society, due to the fact that it can affect other facets and way of life. This can be considered as the main factor being tapped by the media. Media and Its Effects The media can be considered as a powerful force in the society. The influence can even bend rules. Such cases can be exemplified in many cases in terms of the social, economic and even political aspects. In cases such as this, it is important to present the influence of media specifically in the 2006 commencement of the Ashes. The factors that had been mentioned above can be perceived as the major factors commonly used by the media in relation to the presentation and catching the attention of the public in the case of the said sports. One of the factors is the race as being portrayed by the media. The said issue can be related to the political matter of the participating nations (Negrine, 1994). In the 2006 Ashes, the racial issues can be attributed to the support given be the two countries to their team. Also, the assistance given by the international community can be related to the said issue. With regards to the choice of the players to be included in the team to represent the country, race can also be an issue, and any topic that can be related to the public and achieve a certain level of interest is given by the media. Another political issue which is greatly related to the racial concern is the classes related to the Ashes. On the bases of the results of the event on the country, it had united a nation, through classes in supporting the team that represents their culture. It can be considered essential due to the fact that other sports can be considered limited to certain classes and status in the society and cannot be participated in by the other members of the population. In cases related to the said event, it can be surmised that every member of the nation that is interested in the said sport was able to participate in every possible way. Some citizen even supported the team even in the place of the even, may it be in the native land or the land of the opponent. In such cases the different forms of media still play an important role. One of the roles of the media is to be able to provide updates to the people. This can be considered important to the support that can be given to the participating team. Gender is another issue that can be related to the latest commencement of the Ashes. Although the media can present notions on the differences of the genders, it can be observed in the present era that interests to sports specifically the said event that the audience is composed of both genders. In terms of the participants of the game, the tradition still runs regarding the separation of the two genders, although in most cases the male are favoured for their strength specifically in physical activities (Cowley, 2005). Based on the presentation of the media, public draws their views, opinions and most of the time their decisions. The choice being made by the people for support often times are based to the point of view that can be strained from the forms of media. It can then be surmised that if the presentation of the media leans to one of the two sides, the perception of the population can also be affected. The power of the mass media can be perceived as one of the most influential weapons in the society. It can be viewed to have caused many decisions in almost every aspect of the society. Thus, with the said potential influence, it can affect the perception of the people on the game as well. It can be noted based on the success of the Ashes for more than a century, the matters related to media and other areas had been considered and organized. The Media in Relation to the 2006 Ashes The 2006 Ashes is only one of the even that can be considered in terms of the effect of the portrayal of media on the social issues such as related to the race, the classes, gender and other socio-political concerns. One of the events that had occurred during the last commencement of the Ashes is the prevention of the news from being access in one of the form of media which is the internet (Eastman, 2000; Moses, 2006). The decision was made to be able to have precautions on the possible effect of the public in the different issues in the Ashes. Aside form that the internet can be considered as an uncontrollable form of media that can greatly affect the perception of the masses. Also, the sense of security in writing commonly is failed to be upheld. With less responsibility the consequences and the effects is magnified. The Result of the Media Portrayal With reference to the result of the 2006 Ashes, the media in any form is still the most efficient source of information for the public. The event marked another year of the coveted tournament. It can be considered as an influential and important even due to many things that can be appreciated due to the perception perceived from the media. The Ashes can then be described as the challenge of sports, spirit and will, of culture and even of the social and interpersonal relationship of the people. In another important angle it is also a test of nationalism and faith in a nation. An example is Australia who has set to win the title in a foreign land and had continuously challenged England until now. The capability of the said nation has maintained a contest between the two nations (Eastman, 2000). Through the restriction that was applied in the news during the latest Ashes event, it can be observed as a precaution. Although this can be seen as a prevention of any misconception regarding the results or any occurrence during the tournament, it is important to consider that interest of the public to know the real story (Warner, 2004). In terms of the portrayal set by the different groups in media, it can be perceived important that the masses determine their priorities and practice their own vigilance. Being responsible with giving information though is important but not to the point of hindering access to information. Thus, the media must consider the importance of the position held for it can make and bend the perception of the public. References 50 Years on, the Legend of Laker's Test Still Enthralls (2006, 27 July). The Evening Standard, p. 62. Birley, D. (2003). A Social History of English Cricket. London: Aurum Press. Cowley, J. (2005, August 15). The Gentleman's Game. New Statesman, 134 (4753), p. 19. Cricinfo (2006). The Ashes: Australia v England 06-07. Retrieved January 08, 2007, from http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/BY_OPPONENT/AUS-ENG/HISTORY/ENG_IN_AUS_ASHES-HISTORY_1990-2005.html Eastman, S. T. (2000) Research in Media Promotion. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Frith, D. (1990). Australia versus England: a pictorial history of every Test match since 1877. Victoria (Australia): Penguin Books. Munns, J. (1994). Beyond reasonable doubt - Rupertswood, Sunbury - the birthplace of the Ashes. Australia: Joy Munns. Harcourt, R. (n.d.). The Origin of the Ashes: Which Came First - The Urn or the Velvet Bag Melbourne; Melbourne Cricket Club Library. Matthews, S. (2005, 13 September). England's Ashes victory draws 7.4m to Channel 4 coverage. Media Bulletin. Retrieved January 08, 2007, from http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/media/article/505629/englands-ashes-victory-draws-74m-channel-4-coverage/ Moses, A. (2006). Ashes Internet Blackout. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved January 08, 2007, from http://www.theage.com.au/news/web/ashes-internet-blackout/2006/11/21/1163871377683.html Negrine, R. (1994). Politics and the Mass Media in Britain. New York: Routledge. Pierik, J. (2006, 22 November). Fans' rivalry just as intense. Roy, M. (2007, 04 January). Ashes that Aussies Can't Win - Urn will Return to Lord's After Tour Down Under: MCC. The Telegraph. Retrieved January 08, 2007, from http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070104/asp/frontpage/story_7218848.asp# Warner, P. (2004). How we recovered the Ashes : MCC Tour 1903-1904. London: Methuen. Read More