New guidelines issued for more respectful TV camera coverage of female athletes

Following discussions with the athletes the EBU has produced a ‘do’s and don’ts’ on camera angles.

These include avoiding low camera angles underneath athletes in events such as the high jump or pole vault, which have a high chance of generating compromising images.

“The sexualization of women athletes through selective camera angles and editing choices continues to be a significant concern across many sports broadcasts,” said executive director of EBU Sport, Glen Killane.

“Lingering shots on bodies, low-angle cameras that capture revealing views, and excessive slow-motion replays that serve no technical or storytelling purpose are among the issues observed in the media coverage of women’s athletics competitions today.”

The BBC is a partner in the EBU, which provides coverage of sporting events to 57 countries, reaching audiences of more than a billion people.

The new guidance could be implemented at the European Athletics Championships, which begin on 10 August in Birmingham and will be broadcast by BBC Sport.

However, the Diamond League, which is also broadcast on the BBC, does not go through the EBU, so would not necessarily have to adhere to the guidance.