how commenators affect public opinion

I have often read comments not only on this website but others and very often people simple repeat what commentators have said in or about different games, fights and matches in variety of sports.A perfect example of this recently was the Horn Pacquiao fight where American commentators were very critical of the decision and social media as well as main stream media were very critical of the decision as well.There is a reason when rescoring fights they do it with no commentary as was case in recent fight where horn got the decision awarded to him again. It is impossible to totally ignore the commentary when forming an opinion in relation to any game, fight or match unless you are a supporter in which case you will see it from your own teams view regardless of what is said.With this in mind should the nrl put more pressure on the broadcasters on how they want their product broadcast and commentated. I personally can not stand channel 9 for this reason as sometimes you would swear their were only handful players in the field who are the media favourites. They also talk about different calls for couple minutes despite play continuing. No doubt despite not playing JT will be mentioned more then other played on the field and Fifita will be spoken about 10 more then any other forward even if he has a quiet game.I also feel referees buy into the media influence and 50/50 calls go to certain players or clubs higher on the ladder.Is it possible with some media starting to feel eels have turned corner and are a club on the rise that we may see a few more 50/50 calls go out way.Refs are only human and I feel that when teams that are favourites there is greater media focus and it will be discussed more if they cost them the game through poor decision over a club like Newcastle. I noticed in Newcastle games this year the commentators both on 9 and fox seem question more calls on higher teams from ladder as they have more to play for them the tigers or knights. They rarely call out bad mistakes against low sides so there is little discussion publicly afterwards by fans. But you can guarantee whatever the commentators talked about for couple minutes blows up on social media even if not as bad as other calls in different game.As a parra fan I feel sorry for Newcastle and tigers as I know we used cop the same bad calls every game and cause commentators never addressed it or spoke about it no one really spoke about it except parra fans.

FM this is a good blog and it may get you some criticism on here. What you are talking about with the referees is unconscious bias and in my opinion it happens a lot. Whether it is a result of what the commentators are saying or wether it is what is written on the referees tip sheet or both I do not know but certainly it is real.

How it manifests itself is that referees tend to referee one team harder in a contest. It is at times hard to be critical of the penalties being handed out but it is easier to be critical of the penalties not handed down to the favoured side.

I thought in last weeks game against the Storm that it was evident again. Not so much from Badger but from the other referee. I think his name is Clark. There was one occasion in the second half where Badger ruled a knock on against the Storm but the other referee overruled and the decision was changed to a penalty for a strip. The replay showed that the original decision was correct. One defender in the tackle and the Storm player dropped it. Guess who the defender was Kenny Edwards. Unconscious bias at work.

It was also evident in the Knights Dogs match as well. Going back to the Eels Storm game as you point out there is commentary bias as well. Andrew Voss whilst he was applauding Semi for what he did he certainly had a bias toward the Storm. Braith Annasta on the other hand was quite appreciative of the way that the Eels played and rated their performance. At one point Annasta called the Eels the real deal. It is always difficult as a fan to be objective about your own team due to the emotional attachment. I know that I have rewatched an Eels game and at times thought that I was watching a different game the second time around. It is even worse if you have been drinking. However the bias does exist.

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Replies

BE STONE COLD July 11, 2017 at 10:09pm

I reckon if the Bunker actually listened to the commentary when making their decisions, they would probably get more decisions right
Fiddy July 12, 2017 at 5:25am

The commentators all gave it to moses about switching clubs mid year. No body seems to be saying anything about maloney wanting to leave sharks early for more money. Imo, what maloney is doing is far worse off thab what moses did and yet moses gets painted by as a sook by commentators.
- fake midget pseudoachondroplasia > Fiddy July 12, 2017 at 8:58am
  
  That is exactly what I mean. It seemed all tigers players were fair game for looking elsewhere yet when a club trys fit marquee player in instead of paying existing talent more as may be case in cronulla soon the media seem be all for it.
  Tigers offered Reynolds similar money they said they couldn't afford for Moses then were annoyed he wasn't on the bus.
John Eel July 12, 2017 at 8:25am

FM this is a good blog and it may get you some criticism on here. What you are talking about with the referees is unconscious bias and in my opinion it happens a lot. Whether it is a result of what the commentators are saying or wether it is what is written on the referees tip sheet or both I do not know but certainly it is real.

How it manifests itself is that referees tend to referee one team harder in a contest. It is at times hard to be critical of the penalties being handed out but it is easier to be critical of the penalties not handed down to the favoured side.

I thought in last weeks game against the Storm that it was evident again. Not so much from Badger but from the other referee. I think his name is Clark. There was one occasion in the second half where Badger ruled a knock on against the Storm but the other referee overruled and the decision was changed to a penalty for a strip. The replay showed that the original decision was correct. One defender in the tackle and the Storm player dropped it. Guess who the defender was Kenny Edwards. Unconscious bias at work.

It was also evident in the Knights Dogs match as well. Going back to the Eels Storm game as you point out there is commentary bias as well. Andrew Voss whilst he was applauding Semi for what he did he certainly had a bias toward the Storm. Braith Annasta on the other hand was quite appreciative of the way that the Eels played and rated their performance. At one point Annasta called the Eels the real deal. It is always difficult as a fan to be objective about your own team due to the emotional attachment. I know that I have rewatched an Eels game and at times thought that I was watching a different game the second time around. It is even worse if you have been drinking. However the bias does exist.
Parrakeet July 12, 2017 at 9:25am

Hard to commentate with a side with future immortal out, some rating best fullback ever out and other top rated represestative players out as well. Love them or hate them they are a consistently good side and Eels were lucky to play them come SOO draw.

This reply was deleted.

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