For this project, I have chosen to audit Lia Thomas. Lia Thomas is a transgender swimmer who has been at the center of a controversy over her participation in college swimming competitions. She has been
competing for the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s swim team, and her participation has sparked
debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The controversy surrounding Lias participation in competing in women’s swimming raises a number of important questions about gender identity, athletic competition, and the role that sports organizations have in making the sport fair and inclusive (NCAA).
I have chosen to audit Lia Thomas because I myself used to be a swimmer, so this is a topic that I am passionate about. I also feel as though whether or not transgender athletes should be able to compete against cisgender athletes is an important conversation that needs to be had/ looked more into. This controversy highlights these issues of gender identity and sports.
I feel as though this would make a great case study because there is more than one side to this
discussion. Some People argue that because she was born male she has a physical advantage over her
female
competitors. This is due to her biological male characteristics, such as her height and longer arms which could give her an advantage in the sport. These people believe that her participation in women’s swimming competitions is unfair and puts her competitors at a disadvantage. They claimed that allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports would result in an uneven playing field and could overall change the sport. On the other hand, some individuals argue that she has had the necessary hormone
therapy to eliminate any physical advantages she may have had and that she should be allowed to compete based on her gender identity.
WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR FINAL:
• A summary of the person, event, or organization you have chosen to audit. Why did you
choose this subject? Why did you feel that they would make a good case study?
• Review all types of media (books, newspapers, magazines, radio/music, social
media/internet, video games, Public Relations, advertising, TV and film for coverage of your subject.)
o How did your subject appear in each medium?
Are they creating the media (e.g. a television star, singer, or influencer) Are they a subject in
someone else’s narrative
o Evaluate the Media Coverage
If they are in a movie, show, or released a song/album, how was this
media received? Is it controversial? Did it go viral or is it a blockbuster?
Is the company controlling the media part of a conglomerate?
Is there advertising/PR involved? What kind? Is it pro subject or anti
subject?
Is there magazine or newspaper coverage?
Has the person/event/organization been covered in a book?
What kind of social media presence is there? Does the social media
belong to your subject, others, both?
Is there news media coverage? Do organizations with bias cover the story differently?
• As you evaluate the media and your subject be mindful of the various theories covered in your book. Do any of these apply to the media coverage you see? Are there issues related to freedoms (artistic freedom, free speech, etc..). Is this coverage global in nature and interpreted differently from culture to culture?
• Provide your own summary of the relationship your subject has with mass media. Is the relationship
positive, negative, both? How have concepts studied in class affected your subject’s relationship with the
media. What are your thoughts for ways they can improve or continue to embrace media.
• Appendix – you are strongly urged to include an appendix. Screenshots of social media, images of newspaper and ads that you might be referencing should be included where possible.