Extremely biased framing treating unverified allegations as fact. Headline states Canada "didn't learn their lesson" presuming guilt. Uses "allegedly reverted to its underhanded ways" — blatant characterization without evidence. Emphasizes accusations while omitting that officials found no violations during observation. The second incident is inflated from brief comment to major scandal.
Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingSelective OmissionContext StrippingAnchoring
“The Canadian men's curling team apparently didn't learn their lesson”
“the team allegedly reverted to its underhanded ways”
Highly sensationalized framing with "accused of cheating AGAIN" in headline treating two incidents as established pattern. Opens with "fresh allegations" and emphasizes repeat accusations while burying the fact that officials found no violations. The second "accusation" was a brief comment to a coach, not a formal complaint, yet treated as equivalent scandal. Context-stripping throughout.
Selective OmissionLoaded LanguageContext StrippingNarrative FramingAnchoring
“Canada has been hit with fresh allegations of cheating at the Winter Olympics”
“And just 24 hours later, the Canadian curling team has again been accused of double-touching”
Frames story as "renewed accusations" and "controversy grows" while downplaying that officials recorded no violations. Leads with Canada "facing" allegations rather than officials' determinations. Emphasizes Kennedy's profanity and counter-accusations more than World Curling's findings. Uses "claims," "allegations," and "accusations" repeatedly without equal emphasis on official findings.
Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingSelective OmissionAnchoring
“Canada has faced renewed accusations of cheating after a member of the Swiss men's curling team raised concerns”
“The controversy even bled onto the women's side on Saturday”
Headline uses "escaped punishment" implying guilt despite officials finding no violations. Frames Canada as rule-breakers who got away with it ("appearing to have broken the rules") rather than athletes accused but not found guilty. Does include World Curling's clarifications and new procedures, but the framing presumption of wrongdoing tilts the narrative.
Loaded LanguageNarrative FramingSelective Omission
“Canada's men's curling team have escaped punishment in the Winter Olympics despite appearing to have broken the rules”
“Replays appeared to back Eriksson up, but the officials did not intervene”
Frames story around "cheating claims rock Winter Olympics" emphasizing scandal. Uses loaded language throughout ("explosive, X-rated 'cheating' row"). Buries World Curling's finding of no violations and instead emphasizes Kennedy's continued denial and counter-accusations. The framing suggests ongoing controversy rather than resolved dispute. Quotes Kennedy suggesting Sweden's "plan to catch teams" without skepticism.
Loaded LanguageSelective OmissionNarrative Framing
“It all kicked off on Friday night”
“They (Sweden) have come up with a plan here at the Olympics, as far as I know, to catch teams in the act”
Frames Kennedy as both defensive and conspiratorial by emphasizing his counter-accusation that Sweden planned to "catch" Canada. Presents Kennedy's denial and counter-narrative but with subtle skepticism. Includes the key fact that footage "did appear to touch the stone" without equal weight on officials finding no violations. Slightly slanted through selective emphasis.
Narrative FramingSelective Omission
“Then Kennedy pointed the finger the other way toward the Swedes, saying their accusations were 'premeditated planning to try to catch us'”
“Footage shows Kennedy did appear to touch the stone a second time with his finger”
Brief report that frames the story as "cheating row" in headline, treating accusations as the primary story rather than official determinations. Uses quotation marks around "cheating" suggesting skepticism but still emphasizes scandal. Accurately describes rules but minimal context about officials finding no violations. Framing emphasizes controversy over resolution.
Loaded LanguageSelective Omission
“A cheating row has overshadowed a men's curling match at the Winter Olympics”
“the victory was overshadowed by a foul-mouthed exchange”
Short report emphasizing Kennedy's profanity and reaction to accusations. Uses neutral "accused" but frames Kennedy's response as sending warning to rivals, suggesting aggressive posture. Includes Kennedy's defense and mentions video evidence. Limited context about official findings. Slightly sensationalizes through emphasis on conflict over resolution.
Selective OmissionNarrative Framing
“I haven't done it once. You can f--- off”
“I'll show you the video after the game”
Generally balanced reporting of the confrontation with context about rules and electronic sensors. Uses "accusations" and "alleged" appropriately. Includes Kennedy's perspective on why he reacted. Slightly emphasizes the video evidence showing apparent contact but also notes officials did not issue infractions. Minor framing through paragraph ordering but overall fair.
Narrative Framing
“Marc Kennedy lost his temper after repeatedly being labeled a cheater, despite never being issued an infraction by the officials”
“Clips of the shot quickly drew online allegations of cheating and poor sportsmanship”
Balanced reporting presenting both teams' perspectives and official responses. Accurately describes the rules and technology involved. Includes World Curling's statement that no violations were found during observation period. Uses neutral framing throughout — "accused," "alleged," without presuming guilt. Slight emphasis on visual evidence but notes officials' determination.
“There were no hogline violations or retouches of the stone during the observation period”
“Close-up, slowed-down video does appear to show Kennedy using his index finger on the stone as it approaches the hogline”
Factual wire service reporting focused on World Curling's response and rule clarifications. Presents the dispute neutrally as "accusations" and includes both sides' perspectives. Reports the new monitoring procedures and verbal warning without editorial framing. Includes detail about Swedish media releasing videos, providing context for the controversy's spread.
“It is not possible for World Curling to have game umpires positioned to observe all hog lines for every stone delivery”
“World Curling spoke with the Canadian officials to issue a verbal warning regarding the language used by a Canadian men's player”
Brief, neutral account focused on the viral nature of the exchange. Describes the confrontation factually without presuming guilt or innocence. Uses "allegations" appropriately and notes Kennedy received a warning for language. Minimal framing — simply reports what happened and the outcome.
“Sweden had lodged a complaint alleging a member of the Canadian team had been 'double-touching'”
“Kennedy was later given a warning for foul language, with Canada going on to win the game 8-6”
Straightforward wire service reporting presenting facts chronologically. Includes both teams' perspectives, official responses, and rule clarifications. Uses appropriate qualifying language ("appeared to show"). Clearly states officials found no violations during observation period. Minimal editorial framing — lets facts speak. Slight emphasis on "curse words" in headline but content is balanced.
“no violations were recorded”
“Decisions made during a game are final”
Relatively balanced account presenting the dispute as mutual finger-pointing between competitive teams. Uses neutral framing ("believed," "protestations") and includes Kennedy's perspective. Slightly downplays the profanity with euphemism "spitting swear words" but overall factual and concise.
Loaded Language
“Elite sport is tense, fraught and competitive. But still, you don't expect a curling match to descend into finger-pointing, swearing and accusations of cheating.”
Balanced coverage presenting the controversy, official response, and both teams' perspectives. Accurately describes the rules and includes World Curling's finding that no violations were recorded during observation. Uses neutral language throughout with minimal editorializing. Slightly emphasizes "curse-filled" in headline but content is fair.
“During this period of observation in the Friday evening game, there were no violations recorded”
“We want a game that is as sportsmanlike, honest and clean as possible, so we call it out as soon as I see that the Canadian No. 2 is, in my eyes, there poking the stone.”
Straightforward reporting focused on the governing body's response and clarification of rules. Presents both sides' perspectives without editorializing. Includes World Curling's statement that no violations were recorded during observation. Minimal framing or loaded language — sticks to facts and official determinations.
“During this period of observation in the Friday evening game, there were no violations recorded”
“Game Umpires are situated at the end of each sheet and physically cannot see every delivery infraction.”
