Chinese state media is using government scripts to manage public perception of natural disasters
In short: New research reveals that Chinese media coverage of earthquakes has significantly declined since 2012. By analyzing millions of articles, researchers found that when news outlets do report on seismic events, they increasingly rely on government-issued scripts, extending state influence far beyond traditional ideological messaging into disaster management.
Researchers recently developed a method to identify how the Chinese government influences media content. By comparing millions of newspaper articles published between 2012 and 2022 against leaked government directives, the team confirmed that state scripting is a pervasive tool for shaping public discourse. This decade-long window aligns with the consolidation of power under President Xi Jinping, during which media homogeneity has notably increased.
While propaganda is often associated with purely ideological content, this study demonstrates that the state uses these processes to manage sensitive practical issues. A primary case study focused on earthquake reporting. Following the 2008 Sichuan disaster, which caused roughly 90,000 deaths and destroyed millions of homes, the government faced intense public scrutiny regarding infrastructure quality. Researchers compared media output against objective geological data from the United States Geological Survey to track how coverage shifted.
The findings indicate a clear trend: as the government faced pressure over construction standards, media outlets began reporting less frequently on seismic events. When they do cover them, the content is increasingly aligned with specific government narratives. This suggests that state intervention in the media environment is a strategic mechanism for maintaining social stability and managing the government's reputation, rather than just a means of promoting political ideology.
In the Chinese context, the term xuānchuán—often translated as propaganda—historically carries a more neutral, educational connotation than its Western counterpart, encompassing publicity and information dissemination. However, the modern application of these techniques, particularly under the current administration, serves to actively shape society. By broadening the definition of propaganda to include these administrative interventions, researchers have uncovered how the state effectively uses media to navigate crises and maintain control over the public narrative.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: New research shows that propaganda is on the rise in China
- Also: Propaganda in China
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