It's ironic that some of our nation's sports photographers (and their editors) are acting like pimply 13 year olds in
the same week that various news media have displayed their distaste about the treatment of ex CEO of the Department of
Work and Income, Christine Rankin, as a 'sexual icon'.
It was such a relief, some years ago now, when finally, sports camera men filming the cricket gave up spending the
breaks in play by searching out 'tits and ass' in the audience at our great sporting arenas, and started displaying a
little respect and brainpower. Finally it had dawned on the Cricket Association of the day that the sport's survival lay
in becoming a game for all the family.
The women I hung out with became enthusiastic about attending cricket matches again without the discomfort of being
perved at by drunken louts in the terraces indulging in the activity reinforced by the media of the day. And at home we
could finally enjoy watching the game without giving up after feeling angry or embarassed at the pathetic perviness of
sweaty little camera men.
So it's disappointing to see these juvenile attitudes creeping back into the photos of one of our national dailies, the
Dominion. Especially in the same week that people, including editors, are expressing their disgust at personal remarks
made about the way a CEO choses to dress.
The photos of women tennis players, one on the front of the Dominion during the week and one in the sports section on
Saturday threw me back to the anger that I'd hoped could be left behind in bygone days of rather purile perving by
photographers in our national media.
I really can't believe that throughout the various games of tennis played that the 'best' action shots available of
these talented and professional sports women were a) one of female player walking away from the camera, trying to adjust
her nickers and revealing her bottom in the process, and b) one of another female player with her knees bent and spread
and skirt raised in the wind revealing a full frontal of her crotch (and before you go searching for it kids, she did
have her nickers on!). I couldn't find a single equivalent among the photos of male sportsmen this week.
I'll concede that it's pretty clear that athletic bods are popular, even with me. But we really don't need to perve up
people's shorts to enjoy the game.
Most readers in today's world expect a national daily newspaper to approach their subjects with respect and maturity.
Those photos showed neither respect nor maturity. The photographers and editors involved might be more suited to a job
with 'Big Brother Uncut' or a 'lads' magazine where at least the subjects have consented to their vivid exposure and the
audience has deliberately chosen the experience.
Those of us simply trying to keep up with the daily news shouldn't have to put up with it.