dc.description.abstract | The entry of Chinese media organisations in Africa has drawn interest from scholars,
journalists and policy makers worldwide. In December 2012, China Daily Africa was
inaugurated in Africa to cover the Sino-African relations with an aim of improving
communication and cooperation between China and Africa. This study seeks to
investigate Chinese print media’s portrayal of China in Africa, with China Daily Africa
as the case study. The study was based on the media framing theory. Qualitative approach
was utilized in this study while content analysis of newspapers was used as the research
method. Primary data interviews were conducted with key informants while thematic and
frame analyses were used to analyse the data. Data was presented using tabulations and
narrative method. A sample 106 page lead stories in 12 editions of China Daily Africa
were examined. A population of 106 page lead stories and a sampling frame of 12
editions of China Daily Africa were used in the study. The derived samples were limited
to a period between October 31, 2014 and February 5, 2015. The study revealed that three
key frames dominated the coverage of China in China Daily Africa; diplomatic ties,
economic ties and cultural ties. Majority of the news sources for the themes were Chinese
nationals and thus they presented a Chinese perspective of the relationship between China
and Africa. It emerged that China Daily Africa frames the China-Africa relationship in
positive light to portray a positive image of the country in Africa. The study concludes
that China Daily Africa is a central agent of Chinese diplomacy and propaganda and its
coverage of China in Africa is meant to improve China’s image and standing in Africa.
The researcher recommended the adoption of a more balanced narrative of China-Africa
relations by having more African sources and the inclusion of an African perspective of
the relationship since the audience is the African audience. | en_US |