The Role of Qatari English Dailies in Promoting National Identity: A Case Study of the Peninsula Newspaper
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.10409Keywords:
Qatar, national identity, cultural symbols, values, content analysis, editorial, FIFA World Cup.Abstract
Objective: This study aims to uncover the role of The Peninsula, the well-known English-language newspaper, in promoting Qatar's national identity.
Methods: To achieve the study’s objective, the content of sixty-four editorial articles was analyzed. These articles were purposefully collected from the newspaper’s website over the period between September 19, 2022, and February 18, 2023—covering the time when Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup, along with the two months before and after the tournament. The rationale behind selecting two months before and after the event was to determine whether there were any changes in the newspaper’s policy regarding the promotion of Qatari national identity following the tournament’s conclusion.
Results: Based on the analysis results, The Peninsula actively promoted various values and cultural symbols that shaped Qatar’s national identity. The values emphasized by the newspaper included generosity, respect, hospitality, and tolerance. As for cultural symbols, the newspaper highlighted Katara and Darb Al Saai.
Conclusion: The Peninsula maintained a consistent policy in promoting Qatar’s national identity before, during, and after the tournament—indicating that its approach was not deliberately limited to the World Cup period.
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