State-press relationship revisited: A comparison of foreign policy coverage on the Hong Kong 1997 issue by three newspapers

Abstract

Research in media diplomacy often concluded that media took a pro-government stance in covering foreign affairs. This study tested this finding by content analysing the coverage of the Hong Kong 1997 issue by the New York Times, the Times of Britain and the People's Daily of China. The data indicated that the two western newspapers departed significantly from their governments’ respective positions on the issue, while the People's Daily has followed Beijing's stance on the issue all along. The result challenged the viewpoint of ‘media as governments’ cheerleaders’. A more dynamic approach to media diplomacy research is suggested.