Abstract: This article investigates how state-run mainstream and alternative media cover the exodus of elite athletes from Iran’s borders. A total of 704 Iranian news media articles (2007–2022) that focused on the emigration of elite Iranian athletes were content analyzed to determine (a) differences in mainstream and alternative media frames surrounding these athletes and (b) frame changes over time. Results revealed a bifurcation in coverage with mainstream media disproportionately prioritizing economic frames, social issues, schadenfreude, and sports policies/practices, while alternative online media was more likely to advance content related to arrest/criminality, female appearance/actions, female rights/equality, forfeiture of competitions, and politicization. Frames regarding female athletes amplified over time; alternative news was significantly more likely to frame issues related to female appearance/actions and female rights/equality within more contemporary years. Implications for theory and international news media practices are discussed.
Latififard et al. (2024) studied this question.