| Summary: | 碩士 === 淡江大學 === 大眾傳播學系 === 89 === This study analyzes the news coverage of China-Taiwan relations on The New York Times and The Washington Post from 1992 to 2000. Specifically, this study discusses the relationship between the news coverage and the Clinton Administration’s foreign policy on this specific issue. Based on theories of news framing theory, as well as the propaganda model of international news, this study employs the methods of content analysis and news discourse analysis to investigate 4 research questions. The results of content analysis show that over the past 8 years, The New York Times focuses on the following three perspectives while reporting China-Taiwan relations. They read: (1) the political relations between China and Taiwan; (2) the relations between the U.S. and China; (3) China’s military endeavor on intimidating Taiwan; while The Washington Post focuses on the following four perspectives. They read: (1) the political relations between China and Taiwan; (2) the relations between the U.S. and China; (3) the relations between the U.S. and Taiwan; (4) China’s military endeavor on intimidating Taiwan. In terms of the news resources adopted by The New York Times and The Washington Post, the results show that “US officials” are the dominant news resources. It indicates the lack of more diversified news resources on related issues.
On the other hand, the results of news discourse analyses imply that the Cross-strait relations as well as China-US-Taiwan relations are the most covered in the news. With respect to the China-Taiwan relations, The New York Times and The Washington Post emphasizes China’s insist on Taiwan’s sovereignty, and The Washington Post shows more critical to mainland China. At the same time, these two elite newspapers praise and support Taiwan’s economic development and political democratization. Besides, The New York Times and The Washington Post repeat Clinton Administration’s policy to One-China principle. And the government believes that the problems between China and Taiwan can be solved by peaceful means. On the news reports, the U.S. government reiterates the position to China has not changed when the tensions between China and Taiwan heightened.
Moreover, this study finds the relationship between China and the U.S. reported on the news has not been stable. The New York Times and The Washington Post somehow hold a negative and skeptical attitude toward China. However, these two elite newspapers also assert that Taiwan should avoid conducting any provocative behavior toward China. In conclusion, although differ to some extent over the years, The New York Times and The Washington Post have not challenged the U.S. government One-China policy. In other words, it proves the propaganda model’s assertions.
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