Mark Pougatch, an ITV broadcaster, posted on X on Saturday evening arguing that the word 'disaster' should never be used by football broadcasters live on air. " Pougatch added: "We've just marked the Hillsborough tragedy. Check your language.
" His comments came during the week of the 37th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 Liverpool supporters lost their lives on April 15, 1989. Liverpool FC issued a statement on Wednesday regarding the anniversary, noting that an inquest jury concluded in April 2016 that each victim had been unlawfully killed and that fans played no role in causing the disaster. " Pougatch's post drew mixed reactions, with some users questioning the scope of such language restrictions.
Football reporters should never ever, ever, ever use the word 'disaster' in relation to giving a goal away.
One fan replied: "That’s a bit much, Mark. " Another user asked: "Where does it end though Mark? " It remains unclear whether any broadcasters have changed their language use as a result of his post, or if his view is shared by other media organizations.
We've just marked the Hillsborough tragedy. Check your language. Do much better.
Sorry - it’s the first rule of broadcast journalism.