Boosting nationalism through COVID-19 images: Multimodal construction of the failure of the ‘dear enemy’ with COVID-19 in the national press

Using a multimodal discursive approach, this study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic is constructed and used in press reportage to mobilize intergroup relations national identities. We examine reporting about development of Sweden cast as matter nationalism stereotyping Finnish press. The data consist 183 images with accompanying headlines captions published two newspapers between January 1 August 31, 2020. found three rhetorical strategies stereotyping: moralizing, demonizing, nationalizing. These construct discourses arrogant, immoral, dangerous Swedes sourcing from stereotypes. contributes current knowledge work on stereotypes by illustrating they are media discourse achieve certain ends, such persuade, mitigate, or justify relations. Furthermore, offers insight into constructions functions