Abstract des Autors

This study explores the relationship between sports media and politics in Bahrain when Bahrainis took to the streets in the 2011 uprising. It addresses two questions: how did the pro-regime sports media frame the uprising in Bahrain and what strategies were used by the Al-Khalifa regime to politicize the sports media? A quantitative and qualitative content analysis was conducted of the sports media coverage in two television sports programmes in the period between March and May 2011 when demonstrations spread across Bahrain, sports activities were suspended and martial law was introduced. This study concludes that the sports media was used as a propaganda tool by the Al-Khalifa regime in Bahrain to carry out repressive actions on behalf of the nation, to name and shame the protesters, and to preserve the status quo.