The Forming China's Image in the Western Mass Media in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative (Based on the Materials of the British News Channel BBC News)

Abstract

The article offers an analysis of the creation of the image of the PRC in the context of the One Belt — One Road initiative in the Western mass media (on the example of the British news channel BBC News). The author of the study proceeds from the thesis about their important role in shaping and promoting the image of the country. In the context of information globalization, the role that the media play in international relations is multiplied many times over. A special place in such processes is occupied by global news channels, which are often of decisive importance in constructing world public opinion, setting the agenda and assessing the importance of ongoing or planned events. The Belt and Road Initiative is not only an example of global cooperation, but also a reflection of a new approach to development in the modern world as a whole, which has a serious impact on China's international prestige and image. In the course of the study, we find out that the Western mass media more often perceive the One Belt, One Road initiative in a negative aspect, ignoring the real achievements and successes of this global project. On the example of the analysis of news releases of the British television channel BBC News, it was revealed that, despite external neutrality, its editorial staff uses different methods and technologies to form a negative image of China. The preference of the editors of the TV channel to economic and political topics, specific events and positions of states as an information occasion was revealed. With the external prevailing neutral position of the TV channel towards One Belt, One Road, its real achievements and successes are ignored, the negative assessment of the Western expert community is covered, and lexemes with a negative meaning are often used.