Introduction to the topic “German Coverage
The media play a very special role in the gigantic spectacle that revolves around football. In many respects, they have the power to disseminate points of view, to stimulate discussion on issues close to their heart or simply to spread opinions, which in itself should not happen but subliminally always does.
Of course, the so-called freedom of the press should relatively ensure that objective reporting takes place or at least that there is a chance to be heard with different – outside the mainstream – views. Nevertheless, there is always a “state of the art”. This is how some big role models do it, they have to be emulated. In some cases, opinions are simply “implanted” in people’s way of thinking, and they repeat them, often unreflectively. Of course, such a statement never concerns the individual….
In Germany, at any rate, a way of reporting has developed that is deficient in many respects. This refers to pure content as well as to tone and manner of presentation.
Since it is a rather specifically German problem, it only serves, at best, very indirectly to preserve, improve, grow football (worldwide). But since it is also partly about correct judgements — this refers both to individual match scenes and to chance distributions before or during matches, even to assessments of entire competitions — the whole complex does some groundwork for the subsequent section on the predictability of football and the betting market. Very egoistic motives, which on the one hand are: “If I’m going to watch so much football, then it should please also provide more fun and perceived excitement”, on the other hand one would at the same time like to see a further development, which would then gladly be associated with one’s own commitment.
So the whole section will deal quite specifically with some of the misconceptions spread by the reporters and the way they are presented.