Discursive Constructions of the 2019 Hong Kong Protests in CNN and China Daily: A Corpus-Assisted Discourse Study

Abstract

Using corpus-assisted discourse analysis, this study examines the differences in the discursive constructions of the 2019 Hong Kong protests by two globally influential American and Chinese English-language media outlets, namely CNN and China Daily. The findings reveal that CNN constructed the protests as a largely youth-driven democratic struggle, drawing comparisons with the previous Umbrella Movement, and highlighting the incidences of police repression. In contrast, China Daily constructed the protests negatively, portraying it as an unlawful and disruptive phenomenon undermining Hong Kong’s rule of law and economic stability, and highlighting the unlawful and violent behavior of the protesters. This study not only reveals the contrasting ideological stances of these media outlets in portraying an event that captures global attention, but also provides insight into the role of mainstream Chinese media in supporting China’s arduous bid to influence global opinion favorable to its undertakings. Keywords: Media Discourse, Corpus-Assisted Discourse Analysis, Hong Kong, Extradition, Protests