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Automation in Sports Reporting: Strategies of Data Providers, Software Providers, and Media Outlets

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  • Jessica Kunert

    (Institute for Journalism and Communication Studies, University of Hamburg, Germany)

Abstract

This study examines how algorithmic processing affects structures and practices in sports journalism in Germany. A multi-level perspective is used to determine which strategies data providers, software providers, and media outlets use to develop automated reporting, which compiles perspectives across the entire line of news production. The results of 11 in-depth interviews show that non-journalistic actors are vital partners in the news production process, as all actors work together in data handling, training, and software development. Moreover, automation can generate additional content such as match and historical coverage to help address shortfalls in capacity. However, given the business case for automation, amateur football (soccer) is currently the only viable candidate for its use. Many actors involved in the process argue that automated content is an added value for their readers, but claim that content quality has to be put before quantity. This means that some media outlets edit automated articles to increase the quality of their sports journalism, but that this is done only on a small scale. Media outlets do not perceive their roles to be changing, but see automation as a helpful tool that complements their work; a few use automatically created articles as a baseline for in-depth reporting. Moreover, the so-called ‘meta-writer’ has not become a reality yet, as data-processing and news writing are still kept separate. This article sheds new light on the use of automation in the sports beat, highlighting the growing role of non-journalistic actors in the news production process.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Kunert, 2020. "Automation in Sports Reporting: Strategies of Data Providers, Software Providers, and Media Outlets," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 5-15.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:8:y:2020:i:3:p:5-15
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefanie Sirén‐Heikel & Martin Kjellman & Carl‐Gustav Lindén, 2023. "At the crossroads of logics: Automating newswork with artificial intelligence—(Re)defining journalistic logics from the perspective of technologists," Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 74(3), pages 354-366, March.
    2. Rodrigo Zamith & Mario Haim, 2020. "Algorithmic Actants in Practice, Theory, and Method," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(3), pages 1-4.

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