The mainstream media has shifted gears over the years.
It’s no longer a case of a reporter showing up at a game and simply reporting what happened.
In today’s world, the push for instant reaction through social networks and opinions through blogs and columns is much more center stage.
At first, the instant commentary focused on the players and the result of the game, but now it’s often focused on the officials or umpires.
And when it comes to youth, high school or college sports, sometimes it’s a younger reporter who is skilled on social media but probably never cracked open a rulebook or doesn’t understand that high school football is played by different rules than the NFL.
So, what do you do when they question your judgment? Or worse yet, your integrity when a reporter blasts out for all to see that the “biased” referee cost the hometown team the game.
They have the platform for all to see, and you are left with the policy that officials don’t talk to the media.
The best thing you teach your officials is to adhere to that policy!
Individual officials will likely not have success in convincing a member of the media he or she is wrong. That’s especially true if the reporter is acting more like a fan than an objective observer.
Teach your members that they can work through your local association or preferably, the governing body such as the state or conference office.
Even someone at the state office level probably won’t convince the individual media person he or she is wrong. But the state office personnel can generally work with someone they are familiar with and ensure that a fairer view is presented.
Your association, or your state association, can issue a statement in support of officials. The statement should not only go to the media in question, but all local media and to all officials.
The statement doesn’t need to address the individual blog post or story. Just because someone produces a video or writes a blog claiming officiating incompetence doesn’t mean a response is mandatory. By responding directly to the initial commentary, the state office or local association may, in fact, be legitimizing that commentary.
Instead, the statement should make it clear that the official or officials in question — and all officials — are supported by the governing body or local association. No state association or governing body expects every official to get every call correct.
But in this new age of transparency, a general statement of support can go a long way.
Another tactic is to let the firestorm die down and then have your local association invite all local media to attend your next meeting or clinic. Exposing the media to your commitment and passion for your sport(s) might shed a light on a new perspective — that of a group of dedicated officials who is in the game for more than just a paycheck. And while officials in your group will still miss a call (because everyone does), you certainly aren’t deserving of being ripped for all the world to see.
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