CURRENT TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS JOURNALISM IN UKRAINE (ON THE EXAMPLE OF ONLINE PUBLICATIONS)

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the research is to identify and generalize the trends characteristic of the development of sports journalism in Ukraine at the current stage of the development of domestic mass media and, accordingly, to form a portrait of the requirements for a modern domestic sports media worker.

Research methodology. To achieve the goal, a set of research methods was applied. In particular observation, comparison, analysis (helped to clarify the essence of key concepts, elaborate scientific literature, identify trends that accompany the functioning of sports journalism, the possibilities of their influence on media activity), genre (played a role in clarifying the genre features of journalistic materials), synthesis (contributed to the formation of blocks of trends in the development of sports journalism in Ukraine and the construction of the article), generalization (influenced the formulation of intermediate and general conclusions).

Results. Sports journalism is under the influence of digital and Internet technologies. This affects the intensification of its development, the operational component, promotes the promotion of traditional mass media and the emergence of new ones, in particular through social networks, on the World Wide Web.

Sports journalism in Ukraine is also characterized by the weakening of professional standards, the dependence of media workers on information sources, local clubs, organizations, and institutions.

Often, sports journalists are forced to form a picture of the day subjectively due to the refusal of experts to comment.

An important feature of modern sports journalism in Ukraine is that its representatives strive for universality in their work, perform duties at a multifunctional level.

The promotion in the Internet space contributes to the activation of the use of information genres. To a lesser extent, authors use analytical genres and the value of journalistic investigation and artistic and journalistic genres are not sufficiently appreciated.

From the point of view of topics journalists pay less attention to problems in children’s, women’s and veteran sports, instead they learn more about topics that can ensure financial success for websites and improve their attendance.

Sports network media mainly perform informative, advertising and entertainment functions, while the functions of public control and social criticism are almost invisible. At the same time, in connection with the Russian-Ukrainian war, the role of the ideological function in domestic means of communication has increased.

Taking into account the observed trends, a portrait of the requirements for modern domestic sports media workers has been formulated.

Novelty. The main trends affecting the development of domestic sports mass media have been identified, systematized and understood, and requirements for journalists with appropriate specialization have been formulated based on their analysis.

Practical meaning. The published results on the topic of the study can be taken into account when training media personnel for the needs of sports journalism, with the aim of improving its functioning, in the process of studying the psychology of creative workers of sports media.

Key words: sports journalism, Internet media, development trends, genre, journalist, site.