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rachel1

(538 posts)
Wed Feb 6, 2013, 11:40 PM Feb 2013

Should Female Reporters be Allowed in Mens' Locker Rooms?



"San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh's media sessions aren't known as the most friendly affairs, which is fine. However, that does make what Harbaugh did for one female reporter many years ago even more remarkable.

In a blog entry on WBEZ.org, Chicago radio reporter Cheryl Raye-Stout shared a story from many years ago about the time Bears quarterback Jim Harbaugh fought for her to get equal access to the Bears locker room during the week, something she hadn't been granted during a time when many women were battling for that right."*

Jim Harbaugh helped a female reporter get equal access to the Bears' locker room when he played for them. Should she have gotten access though? Should male reporters be allowed in female athletes' locker rooms? Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian break it down.

*Read more from Frank Schwab/ Yahoo Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/jim-harbaugh-helped-female-reporter-equal-access-locker-143516762--nfl.html
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Should Female Reporters be Allowed in Mens' Locker Rooms? (Original Post) rachel1 Feb 2013 OP
I don't think reporters of any gender need to be running around in the showers with the MADem Feb 2013 #1
I couldn't agree more. loudsue Feb 2013 #7
Yes, as long as it goes both ways. Agnosticsherbet Feb 2013 #2
I don't get the locker room reporting myself... Kalidurga Feb 2013 #3
Yes rocktivity Feb 2013 #4
So to avoid "what about teh menz" arguments let's be practical, alp227 Feb 2013 #5
Americans are too hung up about nudity.... Spitfire of ATJ Feb 2013 #6

MADem

(135,425 posts)
1. I don't think reporters of any gender need to be running around in the showers with the
Wed Feb 6, 2013, 11:47 PM
Feb 2013

players. But if you're gonna let one reporter in, you need to let them all in, assuming they are credentialed.

The most suitable way of handling this is to let the players bathe and change in peace, and then come out to a common area for celebrations/analysis and interactions with the media.

For the life of me, I can't understand why it is so important to crawl up the butts of athletes at every waking second. Yes, they are paid obscenely for playing "games," but that is what the market bears for that sort of thing. Having reporters and cameras in the locker rooms is just intrusive. I don't think it adds to any "understanding" of "the big game."

loudsue

(14,087 posts)
7. I couldn't agree more.
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 01:35 AM
Feb 2013

Actually, I've never liked watching the reports from the locker rooms, but I know some die-hard sports fans, and player wannabes love it....it makes them feel more like they are a part of what is going on, I guess.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
2. Yes, as long as it goes both ways.
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 12:04 AM
Feb 2013

If reporters really need to be in a locker room, then all locker rooms should be open for reporting.

Kalidurga

(14,177 posts)
3. I don't get the locker room reporting myself...
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 12:16 AM
Feb 2013

but, if one gender is in both are in. And the same goes for female athletes, if women can be in the locker room so can men. If I was a female athlete, that would mean I am not showering or changing til I get home, no big deal.

alp227

(32,025 posts)
5. So to avoid "what about teh menz" arguments let's be practical,
Thu Feb 7, 2013, 12:46 AM
Feb 2013

and have better solutions such as
- designate press area
- Media telephone line

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