Communication & Media Speaker Series

Current Controversies in Sports, Media, and Society sheds light on how various issues, including racism, sexism, ageism, religion, politics, and more, are depicted in sports media. The lecture will present research showcasing how sports media representations of athletes can influence both American culture and the individuals who consume said media.

Cynthia Frisby is a nationally-recognized authority on media portrayals of minorities, athletes, women and teens. Frisby studies how media messages contribute toward creating or maintaining stereotypes and biases against minorities, athletes, women and teens. Among other topics, she has investigated the coverage of black male athletes by magazines and news websites from 2002-2012 and demonstrated that news stories involving instances of crime or violence were more heavily covered when they involved black athletes.

Frisby's enthusiasm for her research is reflected clearly in the classroom, where she has won numerous awards for excellence in teaching. In 2002 the University of Missouri awarded her one of its highest teaching honors, the William T. Kemper Fellowship. Student-athletes recognized her outstanding teaching by naming her one of the four Most Inspiring Professors on the MU campus in 2007. Several Mizzou '39 honorees have named Frisby as their mentor. Mizzou '39 honors outstanding seniors for their academic achievements, leadership and service.

Frisby earned her doctorate degree and her master's degree from the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She joined the Missouri School of Journalism faculty in January 1998 and is a full professor of strategic communication with a joint appointment in the communication department in the College of Arts and Science.