从议程设置看中美主要媒体关于南海争端的报道

An Analysis of the Agenda-Setting Function of Sino-American News Reports on the South China Sea Disputes

"议程设置功能"是传播学中的一个核心理论,最早由Mc Combs&Shaw(1972)提出。本文基于议程设置功能理论对比分析了中美主要媒体有关南海问题的新闻标题。分析表明双方媒体不同时间段在报道什么和突出什么议题上存在明显差异。总体看,中方强调中国南海岛礁主权的历史依据,而美方则着意渲染中国当下在南海的"霸道"和"挑衅"言行。美方媒体凭借其语言上的优势和强大的国际话语权,再一次比较有效地实施了对中国的妖魔化宣传;而中国在这场舆论博弈中虽然调动了一切资源,运用了各种手段,做了大量的宣传解释工作,从被动反应到积极应对再到主动出击,但是在大部分时间里并未掌握议程设置的话语权,处境颇为被动。

Agenda setting is one of the most important ways in which mass media exercise influence on the public. This paper is an attempt to apply the theory of ＂agenda-setting function＂, a major theory in media studies put forward by McCombs and Shaw （1972）, to the analysis of the Sino-American news headlines on the South China Sea disputes from January, 2011 to August, 2016. The analysis shows some major differences in the agenda setting of the mass media of the two countries. On the whole, American media kept close watch over what China said about and what it did currently in the South China Sea （often in response to others＇ provocations）, spotlighting the provocative nature of the words and deeds, which put China in a very difficult position, constantly arguing for its own rights on the South China Sea, declaring its firm stand on the issue and explaining the historical background and the recent development of the dispute in a rather defensive way.