What shapes Americans' opinion of china? Country characteristics, public relations and mass media

Xiuli Wang; Pamela J. Shoemaker

doi:10.1080/17544750.2011.544079

What shapes Americans' opinion of china? Country characteristics, public relations and mass media

Xiuli Wang, Pamela J. Shoemaker

S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

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

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study looks at the effect of China's political freedom, economic development and public relations efforts on the US media's coverage of China, and on Americans' opinions of China in the past 30 years. China's political freedom was found to be significant in predicting US media coverage of China and Americans' opinion of China, with more freedom leading to more positive coverage and more favorable opinions. More positive news coverage is related to more favorable American opinions of China when controlling for political and economic development and for public relations efforts. The number of public relations contracts China has signed with the US is also related to the increase in positive US media coverage of China.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1-20
Number of pages	20
Journal	Chinese Journal of Communication
Volume	4
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2011.544079
State	Published - Mar 2011

Keywords

China
Country characteristics
Foreign public opinion
Mass media
Public relations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication

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10.1080/17544750.2011.544079

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title = "What shapes Americans' opinion of china? Country characteristics, public relations and mass media",

abstract = "This study looks at the effect of China's political freedom, economic development and public relations efforts on the US media's coverage of China, and on Americans' opinions of China in the past 30 years. China's political freedom was found to be significant in predicting US media coverage of China and Americans' opinion of China, with more freedom leading to more positive coverage and more favorable opinions. More positive news coverage is related to more favorable American opinions of China when controlling for political and economic development and for public relations efforts. The number of public relations contracts China has signed with the US is also related to the increase in positive US media coverage of China.",

keywords = "China, Country characteristics, Foreign public opinion, Mass media, Public relations",

author = "Xiuli Wang and Shoemaker, {Pamela J.}",

note = "Funding Information: The Chinese government has also organized cultural events in the United States in an effort to increase Americans{\textquoteright} exposure to China. For example, in September 2000, the Information Office of the State Council and the Ministry of Culture sponsored a large cultural activity in New York and other American cities, called Chinese Culture{\textquoteright}s Tour to the United States. This was the largest cultural exchange project ever organized by the Chinese government, and it received extensive coverage from the US media, including CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.",

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AB - This study looks at the effect of China's political freedom, economic development and public relations efforts on the US media's coverage of China, and on Americans' opinions of China in the past 30 years. China's political freedom was found to be significant in predicting US media coverage of China and Americans' opinion of China, with more freedom leading to more positive coverage and more favorable opinions. More positive news coverage is related to more favorable American opinions of China when controlling for political and economic development and for public relations efforts. The number of public relations contracts China has signed with the US is also related to the increase in positive US media coverage of China.

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KW - Foreign public opinion

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What shapes Americans' opinion of china? Country characteristics, public relations and mass media

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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