Warm in 2008 Versus Cold in 2022? A Comparison of China-Related News in the US Media During the Beijing Summer and Winter Olympic Games

Xianwen Kuang

doi:10.1177/18681026241292828

Warm in 2008 Versus Cold in 2022? A Comparison of China-Related News in the US Media During the Beijing Summer and Winter Olympic Games

Xianwen Kuang^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of American news reports on China hosting the 2008 Summer and 2022 Winter Olympic Games, within the context of changing China–US relations. Existing studies on media coverage of the Beijing Olympics typically focus on either the Summer or the Winter Games individually, with none exploring the specific associations between bilateral relations and the agenda-setting processes of the US news media. To fill the gap, the study conducts a quantitative content analysis on reports from seven influential US news organisations which have covered issues in China during both Beijing Olympic Games. Findings reveal a marked increase in politicisation and negative sentiment in US news reports on China in 2022 compared to 2008. This suggests a strong correlation between the evolving China–US relations and the selection of news agendas and tones by US media.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	384-401
Number of pages	18
Journal	Journal of Current Chinese Affairs
Volume	53
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/18681026241292828
Publication status	Published - Dec 2024

Keywords

Media coverage
news agenda
Olympic Games
US–China relations

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10.1177/18681026241292828

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Warm in 2008 Versus Cold in 2022? A Comparison of China-Related News in the US Media During the Beijing Summer and Winter Olympic Games

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Keywords

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