Match reports: A sports journalism tradition that needs to evolve

KUALA LUMPUR - There was a time when match reports were the lifeblood of sports journalism.

For fans unable to watch a match live, the next day's newspaper served as the primary source of information on what had transpired at the stadium or competition venue.

Every goal and point scored, missed opportunity and dramatic moment was captured through the writings of journalists who acted as the eyes and ears of readers.

The tradition of match reporting dates back centuries, with the Boston Gazette regarded as one of the earliest media outlets to do so when it published an account of a boxing contest between John Faulcomer and Bob Russel in 1773.

However, in an era of smartphones, social media and live broadcasts accessible at one's fingertips, questions have emerged over whether lengthy match reports remain relevant when results and highlights are available within seconds of the final whistle.

For New Straits Times sports journalist Farah Azharie, while long-form match reports might remain relevant as they continue to attract a specific segment of readers, the way match reports are presented must evolve in line with today's digital era.

"I once debated with a friend who still enjoys reading lengthy match reports. He often cites portals such as Daily Mail and The Guardian that continue to publish match reports in that format," she said.

She said the issue is not whether match reports remain relevant, but how the content is presented to modern audiences.

"Perhaps it is because the presentation is highly engaging. These websites incorporate photographs, graphics and various other elements that enhance storytelling.

"It is no longer merely a long stream of words accompanied by a single photograph at the top, as was common in the past," she said.

Sharing a similar view was veteran journalist Rizal Hashim, who believes match reports remain relevant today.

"The essential elements should include the starting line-up, substitutes and goal information because much of the information available on the internet does not provide a definitive summary for reference purposes, as the information displayed often requires further processing before publication," he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies senior lecturer Dr Ima Liana Esa said match reports today must evolve beyond text alone.

The former TV3 sports broadcast journalist said advances in digital technology allow stories to be enriched through graphics, videos, data visualisation, social media excerpts and various multimedia elements that help readers better understand a match.

Ima Liana said the emergence of live updates, social media and highlight videos has not diminished the importance of match reports but has instead changed the way audiences use them.

Ima Liana said each format serves its own function in meeting the needs of audiences, which continue to evolve over time.

"Before a match, audiences seek predictions and expectations. During the match, they want live scores, statistics and immediate reactions.

"After the match, they want to understand the factors behind victory or defeat and the implications. In the context of digital journalism, we should not view these formats as competing with one another… they form part of the audience journey that takes place across different times and platforms," she said.

She said the greatest challenge facing media organisations today is not selecting the best format, but ensuring that the right content reaches the right audience at the right time.

According to her, journalists must also identify the conflict, characters, momentum and significance behind a result rather than merely reporting the numbers on the scoreboard.

"A good match report is not merely about answering the question of who won. Rather, it must explain why the victory matters and what it means to those involved," she added. - BERNAMA