Abstract:
There seems to be an excess of research investigating the effects that media violence can have upon a viewer's behavior. However, quite often the media coverage of violence in sports is overlooked. It is easy to see how television networks can disregard the effects of televised sports violence when a major part of their income comes from sports contracts, as well as the high viewership ratings needed to keep a network successful. Still, one must ask the question, "Is sports violence in television newscasts on the rise in America today?"It is very important that we should pay attention to this problem to find out if sports violence in television newscasts is on the rise. We already know from previous research that sports violence can effect its viewers, what we don't know is whether or not television newscasts are showing sports violence at an increasing rate.Sports figures are as influential, if not more, on children than Hollywood stars. We have so much information on television violence and its effects, but we sometimes overlook the athlete and his/her shortcomings. Sporting events are live and whatever happens is captured on video for all the world to see. Should children be exposed to a pitcher knocking down a batter with a high fastball resulting in bench-clearing brawls?A large amount of the total population would stand to benefit from research in this problem area. Parents are so concerned when their children see violence on television. Informing them about whether sports violence in television newscasts is rising would be very beneficial to both parents and children.Is sports violence in television newscasts on the rise in America today? This is the research question that the researcher will attempt to answer in this particular study.