Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho, led a march against their club owner or pushed back against plans to commercialize the game, fan protest stories remind us that football fans have a long history of using their passion for the game as a weapon in the fight for change. While not as grand as some tifos, fan activism isn’t a passing fad. It’s a powerful tool in the fight for social justice.
Often, news media coverage of protests portrays members of underrepresented groups negatively. To avoid this trap, journalists should focus on framing stories about the protesters in ways that promote positive attitudes toward them. This article demonstrates how to do this by showing how a journalist can humanize the person behind the protest and make readers want to support their cause.
By focusing on Padalecki’s personality, hobbies and family, this article helps readers see the person behind the protest and makes them want to support him and his cause. By also highlighting his philanthropic work, it further promotes positive attitudes toward him and his cause.
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