Journalistic practices and challenges in covering mega-events: an overview of soft power and geopolitics in sports journalism research
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Sport has emerged as a key arena for geopolitical influence. Mega-events are increasingly used as instruments of soft power and diplomacy. While these dynamics are well documented, less attention has been paid to the role of sports journalists in mediating them. Analysing key findings in studies identified by a focused Topic Search in the Web of Science Core Collection through a narrative literature review, this article examines how scholars address patterns in how sports journalism engages with geopolitical issues and journalists’ capacity to report critically during sports mega-events. The findings reveal persistent tensions between expectations of critical journalism and structural constraints, such as sourcing practices, editorial priorities, audience expectations, and national contexts. Although awareness of sport’s political dimensions is increasing, critical reporting remains uneven. This highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of journalistic agency across a variety of mediatised geopolitical and sports contexts.
Source: Sport in Society
Authors: Nathalie Hyde-Clarke, Birgitte Kjos Fonn
Institution: OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7206197684