*
Herman Wasserman
*
*Look at SA in relation to other BRICS countries, as
mediated in news media
*South Africa a recent entrant to BRICS club of
emerging nations – renewed media focus on
relationship with other BRICS nations
*Among these – China one of most contentious
partners, receives much media attention
*‘The Rise of ChinAfrica’ –’one of the most striking
developments of 21st century geopolitics’ and ‘one
of reasons why Africa’s economy one of fast-growing
regions’
*
*Renewed interest in Africa since 1990s – economic
growth requires new sources of energy and resources
*Steep rise in trade: 10-fold increase 2000-2010.
Continent’s biggest trading partner.
*Concern about labour practices, support for
undemocratic regimes, impact on local industry
*But also fewer strings attached to aid – noninterference in domestic policies
*Africa historically ‘a horse – Western brutal rider,
beating the horse, Chinese rider gives carrots’
*Questions asked in media : new type of imperialism?
‘Scramble for Africa’? ‘Partner or predator’?
*
*During apartheid China supported liberation movements
*Formal relationship initiated shortly after democratic
transition
*China now top exporter to and importer from SA
*China’s invitation to SA in 2010 to join BRIC formation confirmation of growing political-economic ties
*Part of larger geopolitical shifts and changing geography
of international relations
*But involvement not unequivocally welcomed.
*How South African media reports on China - volume and
tone and in relation to other BRIC countries, over 3
years
*
*Literature in West: China in Africa portrayed in
binary terms: ‘predator or partner’; ‘friend or foe’;
‘comrade or colonizer’
*Orientalist Stereotypes (‘yellow peril’, ‘Fu Manchu’)
*Western powers fear undermining of ‘good
governance’ agenda
*Paul Zeleza:
*Western commentary ‘hysterical and hypocritical’,
decrying China’s growing involvement
*Bemoaning loss of Euro-American hegemony
*Frames: Imperialism, globalization, solidarity
*How does this play out in South African media?
*
*Was the coverage of China in the South African
media predominantly positive or negative in the
period 2009-2012?
*How did coverage of China change during the
period, compared with a similar previous study (De
Beer & Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009 which
found reporting not overly negative?
*How does coverage of China compare to coverage
of other BRIC countries?
*Analysis of major mainstream media (TV news,
newspapers, radio stations) – MT data: 2010-2011,
follow up with new data 2012
*
Research question 1: Was the coverage of China in the South African
media predominantly positive or negative in the period 2010-2011?
*
*Research question 1: Was the coverage of
China in the South African media predominantly
positive or negative in the period 2010-2011?
*China newsworthy in general news as well as in
business news
*Coverage in outlets with highest volume – fairly
balanced
*Even after announcement of accession to BRICS –
majority neutral statements in top outlets
*
Research Question 2: How did coverage of China during the
2010-2011 period compare with a similar previous study
(De Beer & Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009?
*
*Research Question 2: How did coverage of
China during the 2010-2011 period compare
with a similar previous study (De Beer &
Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009?
*Continuation of trend of cautious optimism at start
*Then dip – attributed to natural disasters (earthquake,
flooding)
*Disasters still dominate foreign news values
*Negative news topics but not necessarily negative
attitude
*
Research Question 3: How does coverage of China compare to coverage
of other BRIC countries?
*
*China topped volume of coverage in 2010 –
double of India
*Brazil and Russia fell far short
*India and China together still leading in 2011
*‘Chindia’ emerging as a focal point for SA media
*Statements not overwhelmingly negative or
positive – overall balanced picture
*
*Contra literature – not binary
representation
*Last 3 years (including previous study):
balanced view of China emerging
*Cautiously optimistic attitude in
mainstream media – not pigeonholed as
‘good’ or ‘bad’ story
*China firm place on news agenda – likely
to stay there
*But….
*
SA's profile in BRIC media: Jan 2011 - Mar 2012
China
India
Brazil
Russia
0
200
400
Negative
600
Neutral
800
1000
Positive
1200
1400
*
Ratings of SA media coverage on BRIC countries
over time
Volume of SA media coverage on BRIC countries
over time
30%
1400
20%
1200
10%
1000
0%
800
-10%
600
-20%
400
-30%
200
-40%
0
2009
2010
Russia
Brazil
2011
China
Jan - Mar 2012
India
2009
2010
Russia
Brazil
2011
China
India
Jan - Mar 2012
*
Ratings
Volume
Economic situation
Economic situation
Companies' market position
Companies' market position
Executives/management
Executives/management
Perceptions of companies
Perceptions of companies
Procurement of capital
Procurement of capital
Mergers/co-operations
Mergers/co-operations
Products
Products
International politics
International politics
Accidents
Accidents
Water sports
Water sports
0
50
100
150
Number of reports
200
0%
20%
Negative
40%
60%
Neutral
80%
Positive
100%
*
Volume and ratings of coverage on SA by Chinese media
800
100%
600
80%
60%
400
40%
200
20%
0
0%
-20%
-200
-40%
-400
-60%
-600
-80%
-800
-100%
Number of reports
Ratings
*
Volume of coverage on SA by BRIC media over
time
800
Ratings of coverage on SA by BRIC media over
time
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
-10%
-20%
-30%
-40%
-50%
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2009
2010
Russia
Brazil
2011
China
India
2012
2009
2010
Russia
Brazil
2011
China
2012
India
*
Ratings
Volume
Economic situation
Economic situation
International trade
International trade
International politics
International politics
Environment
Environment
Non political crime
Non political crime
Energy
Energy
Accidents
Accidents
Culture
Culture
Foreign policy
Foreign policy
Products
Products
0
20
40
60
80
100
Number of reports
120
0%
20%
40%
60%
Negative
Neutral
80%
Positive
100%
*
*Negative coverage on China further decreased
*China remains in strong focus
*Strong economic focus, little social coverage
*Product quality not an issue
*Chinese media on SA less positive due to crime and
accidents
* Favourable reporting on foreign policy and international
trade
*Economy dominating coverage, little social focus
*
•
Picture of China in SA media not as negative as
would have expected from literature
•
•
•
Improving over last years
Economic opportunities offered by China
received most attention
Suggest SA media largely business-oriented in its
coverage of BRICS relationships
•
Economic interest supersedes political interest
*