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Article
How mediated sporting events constitute nationalism: Chinese newspapers covering the 2014 Incheon Asian Games
International Journal of Sport Communication (2016)
  • Steve Dittmore, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Abstract
Informed by framing theory, the study strove to investigate nationalism by examining Chinese newspaper coverage of the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Through document and textual analysis of 324 articles from 5 mainstream newspapers, the study indicated that Chinese newspapers always portrayed Chinese athletes as
“dominating the competition” and “lacking opponents in Asia” while portraying other countries’ athletes as “less competitive” and not at the “level of Chinese athletes.” The results also suggested that Chinese newspapers tried to positively spin the story when reporting the failure of Chinese athletes at the Asian Games. However, to increase readership and enhance public awareness of the Asian Games, Chinese newspapers also attempted to created rivalries between Chinese athletes
and competing nations and, at times, emphasized national failures.
Disciplines
Publication Date
Spring 2016
Citation Information
Steve Dittmore. "How mediated sporting events constitute nationalism: Chinese newspapers covering the 2014 Incheon Asian Games" International Journal of Sport Communication Vol. 9 (2016) p. 79 - 96
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steve-dittmore/2/