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5 clusters · 45 sources · 53 days · First seen · Last updated

EU broadcast guidelines for women's athletics

Overview

In mid‑July 2026, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and European Athletics issued a 23‑page handbook, ‘Raising the Bar,’ to curb the sexualisation of women’s track‑and‑field broadcasts. Developed with input from athletes such as Holly Bradshaw, Ivana Španović, and Blanka Vlašić, the guide prohibits low‑angle, rear‑view, overly close, or lingering shots and excessive slow‑motion. Instead, it urges broadcasters to focus on technical aspects, performance, and emotion.

EBU Sport executive Glen Killane highlighted the need to respect athlete dignity, while athletes noted that intrusive camera work can cause discomfort and provoke online abuse. While the guidelines serve as recommendations rather than mandatory rules, they encourage broadcasters to review footage to ensure respectful representation.

By early August 2026, the initiative received positive feedback from the athletic community. Athletics supporter Lina Simons noted that ‘the girls and women simply feel more comfortable with the idea that more attention will be paid to how they are filmed in the future.’

By September 2026, however, the guidelines faced criticism regarding their impact on broadcast quality. Some observers argued that restricting certain shots could compromise the technical and dramatic aspects of coverage, potentially obscuring the biomechanical precision and physical effort of athletes. Additionally, critics pointed to a disparity in treatment, noting that male athletes continue to be filmed with intense, unfiltered close-ups during moments of physical exertion or injury.

Entities

European Broadcasting Union · Marcell Jacobs · Rai · Holly Bradshaw · European Athletics

Timeline

  1. 25 days ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    European Broadcasting Union introduces new rules for female athlete coverage

    The European Broadcasting Union has introduced new guidelines to prevent the sexualization of female athletes in TV broadcasts, sparking debate over technical quality and gendered filming standards.

  2. about 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    European Athletics and EBU issue guidelines against sexualization in sport

    European Athletics and the EBU have introduced new guidelines to prevent sexualized camera angles and ensure respectful media coverage of female athletes in track and field.

  3. 2 months ago

    [SPORTS] 2 sources
    European Broadcasting Union bans sexualized camera angles in women's athletics broadcasts

    The EBU issued new guidelines to stop sexualised camera angles in women's athletics coverage, urging focus on performance and citing athletes' concerns.

  4. 3 months ago

    [SPORTS] 16 sources
    European Broadcasting Union issues new guidelines to curb sexualized camera angles in women's athletics

    EBU and European Athletics released a 23‑page “Raising the Bar” guide to stop sexualising female athletes by banning low‑angle, close‑up and excessive slow‑motion shots, prompting mixed public reactions.

  5. 3 months ago

    [SPORTS] 24 sources
    EBU releases guidelines to curb sexualised camera shots in women's athletics

    The EBU and European Athletics released a 23‑page “Raising the Bar” guide urging broadcasters to avoid sexualising camera angles in women’s athletics and focus on performance, with input from top athletes.

Sources

advertimes.com · aufait.com · bigodino.it · brf.be · business.laleggepertutti.it · clubdoria46.it · corcianonline.it · culturacolectiva.com · dexerto.com · eet.denik.cz · flash.gr · forchecaudine.it · hollywoodunlocked.com · ilfattonisseno.it · imolaoggi.it · iodonna.it · italiaveranews.it · journalistenwatch.com · lamilano.it · ledauphine.com · lsdmagazine.com · magazinepragma.com · mediatalks.uol.com.br · nemosnewsnetwork.com · nova24tv.si · oasport.it · oelv.at · off.net.mk · oneman.gr · pulptastic.com · radiovial.cl · reader.gr · refresher.cz · republicain-lorrain.fr · sapo.pt · sarajevo-x.com · skaipatras.gr · sportklub.si · spotandweb.it · theblaze.com · tvovermind.com · vegetarianliving.com · world-today-journal.com · worldstarhiphop.com · zurnal.pravda.sk

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history