China through the lens of neighboring media: a comparative analysis of Pakistani and Indian newspaper coverage of unrest in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research offers a comparative content analysis of Pakistani and Indian newspaper coverage of the recent social unrest in Hong Kong over the attempt to introduce an extradition bill covering fugitive suspects. Additionally, the study explores the portrayal of China in the newspapers of its neighboring countries in reporting on the Hong Kong turmoil. The study applies framing theory and empirically tests the model of peace journalism developed by Johan Galtung. The results from analyzing 564 news stories indicate that the Indian press practices more war journalism, while the Pakistani press practices more peace journalism. In all four newspapers, the protestors received a more favorable slant than the government. However, Indian newspapers put China in a negative frame, while Pakistani newspapers presented a largely neutral image of China but offered slightly more negative than positive portrayals. The salient appearance of “discordance-oriented” indicators used for war journalism indicates that the Indian media have discouraged the restoration of peace and promoted contestation between protestors and the Hong Kong government. This study also addressed the impact of foreign policy and news sources on the practices of peace and war journalism and representation of China in Indian and Pakistani newspapers.