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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
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NARRATIVES OF THE FOOTBALL WORLD CUP IN QATAR 2022

Authors

;

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2023

Abstract

This thesis examines the narratives presented in global media about the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and how they shape Qatar's image as a tourism destination, as well as the event's potential to influence the host country's geopolitical position. Addressing a research gap on mega-events in emerging economies and the media's role, the study adopts a social-constructivist lens. Methodologically, it uses qualitative content analysis of global news coverage and qualitative content and semiotic analyses of VisitQatar's social media videos. The findings highlight six dominant narratives: LGBTQ+ issues, the World Cup as a catalyst for change, poor conditions for migrant workers, environmental problems, human rights concerns, and the World Cup as highly political. The analysis also shows that Qatar leveraged the event to raise global awareness of the country as a travel destination and to challenge a more traditional image. Overall, the study indicates that mega-events as a tourism tool can contribute to shifts in politics and power dynamics within the host country and its international relations.

Dette speciale undersøger, hvilke fortællinger globale medier formidlede om VM i fodbold 2022 i Qatar, og hvordan disse påvirker Qatars image som turistdestination samt potentielt værtslandets geopolitiske position. Baggrunden er et forskningshul om mega-events i vækstøkonomier og mediers indflydelse på værtsnationen. Teoretisk og metodisk tager projektet afsæt i en socialkonstruktivistisk tilgang og bygger på kvalitativ indholdsanalyse af global nyhedsdækning samt kvalitativ indholds- og semiotisk analyse af VisitQatars videoer på sociale medier. Resultaterne fremhæver seks dominerende narrativer: LGBTQ+ problemer, VM som katalysator for forandring, dårlige forhold for migrantarbejdere, miljøproblemer, menneskerettighedsproblemer og at VM er stærkt politiseret. Desuden viser analysen, at Qatar har udnyttet værtskabet til at øge den globale opmærksomhed på landet som rejsemål og til at udfordre et mere traditionelt image. Samlet set indikerer specialet, at mega-events som turismeværktøj kan bidrage til ændringer i politik og magtforhold i værtslandet og dets internationale relationer.

[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]