This master's thesis delves into the framing of Lithuania's state image by Chinese media since 2020, focusing on the analysis of over 1,200 texts to depict Lithuania in Chinese media. The goal is to comprehend the specific methods and motives behind this media framing and to illuminate the changes in Lithuania's state image from 2020 to August 2022.
After screening, collation and analysis of more than 1,200 texts, this research multi-dimensionally and comprehensively displays the state image of Lithuania in the Chinese media from 2020 to August 2022, analysing the specific process and participations of framing Lithuania’s state image by the Chinese media based on framing theory. This research also explores the motives of the Chinese media’s action of framing Lithuania's state image in the particular way and the environment for the success of the Chinese media’s action.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Literature review
2. Conception Definition
3. Theoretical approach
4. Methodology
5. Lithuania’s state image in Chinese media: what is the certainty and what is the transition?
5.1. Simplify image: what people focus on at the previous time?
5.2. Transition: from monotonous to multiple
5.3. Chapter Summary
6. Clarification: How does the Chinese media frame Lithuania's state image?
6.1. Frame: The specific ways in which the media shapes the Lithuanian state image
6.2. Motives and prerequisites for the media to frame the Lithuania’s state image
6.3. Chapter Summary
Conclusions
List of literature
Annex. Table of media information collected
Research Objectives & Topics
This master's thesis investigates how the state image of Lithuania has been framed by Chinese media outlets from 2020 through August 2022. By applying framing theory, the research analyzes the evolution of this image, identifies the narrative processes used by authoritative Chinese media, and explores the political and civilizational motivations behind these portrayals.
- Evolution of Lithuania's image in Chinese media discourse.
- Application of Robert Entman’s framing theory in a political context.
- The impact of diplomatic tensions (Taiwan issue) on media narratives.
- Motivations behind the "binding" of Lithuania to US/Western policies.
- The interplay between media framing and Chinese strategic culture.
Excerpt from the Book
Research background
According to a report quoted by Singapore’s Chinese media Lianhe Zaobao from Reuters, Vietnam recently announced a social media control measure that prohibits Vietnamese people and state officials from posting information and opinions that are “not conducive to state interests” on social media, and encourages people publish “positive” information about the country’s image, furthermore, support the public and state officials to report and publish statements that are not conducive to state interests to the authority. This is undoubtedly disturbing information - it seems that citizens’ freedom of speech and privacy have been violated and interfered, but this prompts us to think about another question, why the government attaches so much importance to control of the media? Undoubtedly, this implies the fact that the media can indeed affect public political communications and enhance to politics movements.
If this kind of view is transferred to the relations between China and Lithuania, especially within the last two years, the role of the media would become even more obvious. Before the year of 2020, "Lithuania" was an unfamiliar topic for Chinese media, and was ordinarily simply classified as a "small Eastern European/Baltic state". At that phase, the state image of Lithuania was monotonous and static. Politically, Lithuania was usually described as vacillating, capricious, and anti-Russia. It was also economically out of favour, partly because Lithuania is generally regarded as “small state” in the current definition, a distinguishing feature of this category of countries is their limited resources and economic volume. Therefore, Lithuania was generally ignored by the Chinese media which have the inertia of reporting macro narratives; the situation in humanities communications is even worse, Chinese media rarely introduce the humanities of Lithuanian traditions, customs, nationalities - whether it is electronic media or paper media.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the research background and the significance of media control in shaping political discourse, specifically regarding Lithuania.
1. Literature review: Analyzes existing Chinese academic perspectives on Lithuania, noting a decline in research output since 2020 despite the increase in media coverage.
2. Conception Definition: Establishes critical definitions for terminology, specifically clarifying the scope of "Chinese media" and the analytical concept of "Frame".
3. Theoretical approach: Details the application of framing theory and the civilizational clash perspective to analyze media motivation.
4. Methodology: Describes the qualitative content analysis approach used to examine over 1,200 collected text materials.
5. Lithuania’s state image in Chinese media: what is the certainty and what is the transition?: Examines the dynamic shift in Lithuania's representation from a monotonous "small state" to a more complex, albeit often negative, image.
6. Clarification: How does the Chinese media frame Lithuania's state image?: Explores the specific technical framing mechanisms, such as definition and moral judgment, and the underlying motivations for these depictions.
Conclusions: Summarizes the thesis findings, confirming that Lithuania's image in Chinese media is a deliberate construct driven by broader strategic and political goals.
Keywords
Chinese media, Lithuania, state image, frame theory, political communication, motives, civilization, Taiwan, geopolitics, media framing, diplomatical conflict, soft power, narrative construction, foreign policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this thesis?
The thesis examines how China's authoritative media outlets portray and frame the state image of Lithuania, particularly following the diplomatic tensions that emerged around 2020.
What are the primary thematic fields analyzed?
The research focuses on political discourse, diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, human rights narratives, and how Lithuania is linked to the United States and NATO in Chinese state media.
What is the main research question?
The central question is: "How did Chinese media frame Lithuania’s state image since 2020?"
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author uses qualitative content analysis of 1,200 media texts combined with the application of Robert Entman’s framing theory and Huntington’s civilizational clash theory.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body evaluates how Chinese media shifted from a neglected, monotonous view of Lithuania to a more complex, multi-dimensional framing, primarily driven by China's changing diplomatic stance on Taiwan and Lithuania's alignment with the US.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Chinese media, Lithuania, state image, framing theory, political communication, geopolitics, and civilizational clash.
How does the media "frame" the Lithuania-Taiwan relationship?
The Chinese media frames the relationship by highlighting the "One China" principle, defining the issue as a "land/territory" breach, and using keywords to portray Lithuania’s actions as provocative, unjust, and instigated by the United States.
Why does the thesis mention "black jails"?
The thesis analyzes the specific media narrative regarding Lithuania's cooperation with US counter-terrorism operations, which serves as a dimension of the media’s broader criticism of Lithuania’s human rights record to counter Western criticism of China.
- Quote paper
- Shiqian Deng (Author), 2023, The Role of Chinese Media in Shaping State Image. An Analysis of Lithuania from 2020 to 2022, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1450644
