Coverage Bias in Chinese and Thai News Agencies: a Comparative Study of Reporting on a Scam Case of a Chinese Actor in Thailand

Main Article Content

Xin Fan
Warat Karuchit

Abstract

This study examines how news agencies portray emerging issues, focusing on different themes influenced by media and policy agendas, revealing coverage bias between countries and agencies. The case under investigation involves a Chinese actor who was trafficked across the Thai-Myanmar border. Utilizing framing theory and agenda-setting theory as the theoretical framework, the study explores how news agencies in China and Thailand frame the coverage of this case. A content analysis was conducted on 22 online news articles selected from six English-language news agencies, including Xinhua, China Daily, and Global Times in China, and Bangkok Post, The Nation, and Thai PBS World in Thailand. The analysis identified nine key themes and several significant keywords across the articles. Chinese news agencies emphasized diplomatic duty and international cooperation, while Thai news agencies focused on portraying competence and proactivity, emphasizing efforts to protect Thailand’s reputation as a safe destination. The findings highlight how news framing reflects national priorities and shapes public perception in both countries.

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