Sky Sports bans pundits saying ‘nitty gritty’ over slave ship links
‘Nitty-gritty’ on Sky’s list of banned phrases
SKY Sports bosses have warned commentators against using phrases like ‘nitty gritty’ amid fears it might upset viewers.
The term is understood to be among the list of offensive words because it has been linked to slavery.
Commentators and match reporters have been sent emails with details of the terms that should not be used, today’s Sportsmail has revealed. The broadcaster is keen to make sure that its on-air talent think about the type of language they use on air.
Some claim ‘nitty-gritty’ has racist origins linked to the ‘debris’ left behind after slaves left a ship. But others are sceptical that this is the origin of the word.
Dundee City Council said last month it would review ‘slave traders’ language’ including this phrase.
The moves come after Sky started issuing warnings over a number of popular family films, claiming they had ‘outdated attitudes’. This included titles such as Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Lawrence of Arabia and Gone With the Wind.
Many broadcasters have reviewed content in the wake of the death of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests.
There has been growing debate among TV football pundits, including those on Sky Sports, about whether to wear the Black Lives Matter badge on air, amid concerns it might promote ‘farLeft’ ideologies. Former England footballer Matt Le Tissier provoked a debate on the issue after admitting he had raised the matter with his bosses at Sky Sports. He said he could not support parts of what the campaign group stands for, pointing to its anticapitalist aims and its calls to defund the police.
The Daily Mail also revealed yesterday that Premier League players are keen to distance themselves from the official UK arm of Black Lives Matter amid concerns about its politics.
But Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton, who appears on BT Sport’s coverage, said if he was in a TV studio today he would choose to wear the BLM badge. He writes: ‘There is a difference between Black Lives Matter the message and Black Lives Matter the organisation. One is about fighting for equality. The other’s UK wing has courted controversy by calling for police funding to be cut and an end to free trade with Israel. I’m not one for delving too deeply into politics but for me that is not what Black Lives Matter has ever been about.’ He said he understood how others might be concerned their show of support might be ‘misconstrued’.
There has been intense scrutiny on whether football presenters and pundits have been wearing the badges. Sky Sports said it is up to individuals, with some wearing it and others not. For Tuesday’s game between
Brighton and Manchester United, Sky presenter Kelly Cates wore the badge but Patrice Evra did not and fellow pundit Jamie Redknapp followed his lead.
Last night Sky presenter David Jones and pundits Ashley Cole and James Collins all sported badges for West Ham United v Chelsea. On BT, Rio Rio Ferdinand, Martin Keown and host Jake Humphrey all wore badges for the coverage of Norwich City v Arsenal.
n A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following the pulling down of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol in June, police said last night.
My fears over Black Lives Matter badge, by TV pundit Le Tissier
Yesterday’s Mail
SKY SPORTS have warned their commentators not to use certain phrases, with ‘nitty-gritty’ on the banned list.
Sportsmail understands that commentators and match reporters have been sent a number of emails by Sky with phrases deemed out of bounds due to their racially sensitive overtones. ‘Nitty-gritty’ is on the list because of concerns over its supposed links to slavery. The messages are part of an ongoing drive by the broadcaster to ensure that staff are aware of the origins of the language that they use in the light of the increased focus on racism following the killing of George Floyd. However, one staff member claimed that the result was speaking on air had become ‘a minefield’. ‘It’s making what is already a difficult job harder and it feels unnecessary. There are obvious things that should not be said and education on these issues needs to be improved, but this feels like we are tripping over ourselves.’ Earlier this week the PFA urged commentators to address racial bias after a study revealed differences in how they describe players with different skin tones.
SKY SPORTS are drawing up a list of phrases they feel may offend — and are warning commentators not to use them.
Sportsmail understands that commentators and match reporters have been sent a number of emails with phrases which are deemed out of bounds, including one which told them not to say ‘nittygritty’ amid concerns over links to slavery.
The messages are part of an ongoing drive by the broadcaster to ensure that staff are aware of the origins of the language that they use while on air.
Sky Sports holds sessions with presenters, reporters and commentators in which the importance of the language they use to describe athletes from different backgrounds is discussed.
In the light of the recent issues raised by the killing of George Floyd in the United States and the increased focus on racism it generated, they have put on extra sessions with the Professional Footballers’ Association and Kick it Out.
The broadcaster has concentrated on language used, especially when discussing stories and issues concerning the Black Lives Matter movement.
However, the emails have not gone down well with some members of staff. One claimed that they now faced ‘ a complete minefield’ while on air, adding: ‘There are phrases that most people would have absolutely no idea would cause offence and that, to be frank, I’d be amazed if people were offended by. It’s making what is already a difficult job harder and it feels unnecessary.
‘There are obvious things that should not be said and I think everyone believes that education on these issues needs to be improved, but this feels like we are tripping over ourselves.’
Earlier this week, the PFA urged commentators to address their racial bias after a study revealed differences in how they describe players with different skin tones.
Findings revealed on Tuesday, following the first study of its kind in football, showed that ‘deep-rooted racial stereotypes’ are promoted in commentary. Player with lighter skin tone received significantly more praise for their intelligence, quality, work rate and versatility, while players with darker skin tones received at least 63 per cent of the criticism when it came to comments made about intelligence, quality and versatility.
The term ‘ nitty- gritty’ is widely used and there is much debate over its origin. Some believe it originated as a term used by slave traders to refer to the detritus left after a slave ship was emptied, although this is disputed.
Last month, Dundee city council said it would review ‘ slave traders’ language in council chambers, such as the phrase ‘nitty-gritty’.