This book explores how news media construct social issues and events and
thereby convey certain perceptions within the scope of framing theory.
By operationalizing media framing as a process of interpretation through
defining problem, diagnosing causes, making moral judgments and
suggesting solutions, the book proposes a systematic and transparent
approach to images in news discourse. Based on a frame analysis, it
examines how German news media framed a list of China-related issues and
events, and thereby conveyed particular beliefs and opinions on this
country. Moreover, it investigates whether there were dominant patterns
of interpretation and the extent to which diverse views were evident by
comparing two major daily newspapers with opposite political
orientations - the FAZ and the taz.
Motivated by the relationship between image and reality, the book
explores image formation and persistence from media construction of
meaning and human cognitive complexity in perceiving others. Media
select certain issues and events and then interpret them from particular
perspectives. A variety of professional and non-professional factors
behind news making may result in biased representations. In addition,
from a social psychological perspective, inaccurate perceptions of
foreign cultures may arise from categorical thinking, biased processing
of stimulus information, intergroup conflicts of interest and in-group
favoritism.
Accordingly, whether media coverage deviates from reality is not the
main concern of this book; instead, it emphasizes the underlying logics
upon which the conclusions and judgments were drawn. It therefore
contributes to a rational understanding of Western discourse and holds
practical implications for both Chinese public diplomacy and a more
constructive role of news media in promoting the understanding of
others.
