Gestaltningen av de isolerade männen : En tematisk mediaanalys av hur incelfenomenet skildras i svensk nyhetsmedia

Sammanfattning: This thesis studies how the incel culture is portrayed in the Swedish news media and which explanatory models that are depicted for the phenomenon’s emergence. The thesis is based on a thematic medial analysis and is guided by a social constructivist approach. Based on 78 news reports from six different news media sources, six themes have been distinguished and also analysed through the concept of hegemonic masculinity. The findings show that Swedish news media produce a description of incels as being mentally and socially challenged. Incels are further constructed to possess hatred; against themselves, women and society. The self-hatred among incels is constructed to have connections to a strong fixation on appearance which is characterized by an ideal of being white. Finally, the portrayal of a minority of incels as terrorists is constructed throughout the news media coverage, but the majority of incels are rather portrayed as opposed to such acts. It has been possible to expound different portrayed explanations to the rise of the incel phenomenon, such as societal changes; an altered male role and a societal alienation. Two other explanations are also constructed which are based on male appearance and subject positioning.