This document analyzes Chinese propaganda in relations with Africa. It begins with an introduction noting increased political and economic ties between China and Africa in recent years. Some analysts have accused China of dishonesty in these relations. The document then provides context on propaganda in China and Sino-African relations historically. It defines propaganda and discusses how it is used in China through the Department of Propaganda. The document aims to analyze whether propaganda plays a role in Sino-African relations by looking at the necessary conditions and potential issues propaganda could address.
China has shifted from propaganda to public diplomacy since the end of the Cold War. Its public diplomacy aims to build a positive image abroad and counter perceived negative portrayals in Western media. It utilizes various methods, including publications, foreign correspondents, broadcasting, and cultural exchanges. However, China's public diplomacy differs from Western models in its close government control over media and emphasis on promoting its political agenda.
China has used media diplomacy in the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands issue to shape public opinion and support its claims. The document examines China's media diplomacy between 2012-2013, when coverage of the issue intensified. It finds that China used state-run media like CCTV and Xinhua to promote its position domestically and abroad, strengthen historical narratives of its claims, and mobilize Chinese public support during anti-Japanese protests while maintaining hopes for negotiations. The study aims to analyze how media diplomacy affected public opinion and potentially political decisions regarding the disputed islands.
Iglesia, Gabriel - Senior Project Write-up FINALGabriel Iglesia
The document is an undergraduate thesis that explores the relationship between U.S. public diplomacy and foreign public opinion. It analyzes how various forms of U.S. public diplomacy, such as high-level visits, social media engagement, and press releases, have impacted changes in foreign public opinion from 2009 to 2016. Through regression analysis and analysis of variance, the thesis finds no statistically significant association between public diplomacy activities and changes in opinion. However, it reveals a slight trend where countries more inclined to view the U.S. favorably had greater increases in opinion, while less favorable countries had greater decreases.
A critical discourse analysis of the left and right wing ideologies in pakist...Alexander Decker
The document analyzes the left and right wing ideologies presented in editorials in two Pakistani English newspapers, Daily Dawn and Daily Nation, regarding Osama Bin Laden's death and the attack on PNS Mehran naval base. It finds that the editorials construct reality and promote the ideologies of their perspective newspapers. Through critical discourse analysis of 20 selected editorials, the analysis reveals that editorial writers exploit the "us vs. them" framework and use polarized vocabulary to portray political actors and events in a way that is representative of the dominant ideologies of the left-leaning Daily Dawn or the right-leaning Daily Nation.
Words on International Organization: A Rhetorical Analysis of Nationalist Lea...Kirstin Anderson
This document provides context for analyzing the rhetoric of nationalist leaders in the US, UK, and France regarding international organizations. It discusses the rise of nationalist sentiment in these countries through figures like Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, and Brexit. The research question examines how these leaders rhetorically address international organizations in speeches. It hypothesizes some cultural differences but similar views in support of nationalism. The document reviews literature on nationalist movements and political communication to provide background and establish the analytical framework.
The article “China’s public diplomacy and communication strategy in the US: lessons for Pakistan” was written by Bilal Zubair and Nazir Hussain in December 2020. The article highlights the importance of public diplomacy in the era of modern communication in order to create and maintain the dominance over others.
Communication is seen as an important component of public diplomacy to know how governments interact with foreign publics. As an emerging power, China has been actively expanding its presence in the global communication landscape through public diplomacy. Western media consider it a threat in global leadership for the sole super power The United States. China's rise as an emerging power has disturbed the power distribution in the international system. The article also highlights that how public diplomacy and external communication have been a neglected area of research in Pakistan.
Modern Presidential Communications - Communicating Presidential Rhetorical Vi...Rahul Singh
Want to be President of the United States of America? Want to launch a product that puts a "dent in the universe?" These things don't just happen. You will need to be a master of rhetoric and understand how to persuade the masses using proven campaign techniques from both political and commercial marketing campaigns.
This review on modern presidential rhetoric combines ideas used in presidential campaigns from FDR, Reagan, Obama, JFK, and more.
China has shifted from propaganda to public diplomacy since the end of the Cold War. Its public diplomacy aims to build a positive image abroad and counter perceived negative portrayals in Western media. It utilizes various methods, including publications, foreign correspondents, broadcasting, and cultural exchanges. However, China's public diplomacy differs from Western models in its close government control over media and emphasis on promoting its political agenda.
China has used media diplomacy in the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands issue to shape public opinion and support its claims. The document examines China's media diplomacy between 2012-2013, when coverage of the issue intensified. It finds that China used state-run media like CCTV and Xinhua to promote its position domestically and abroad, strengthen historical narratives of its claims, and mobilize Chinese public support during anti-Japanese protests while maintaining hopes for negotiations. The study aims to analyze how media diplomacy affected public opinion and potentially political decisions regarding the disputed islands.
Iglesia, Gabriel - Senior Project Write-up FINALGabriel Iglesia
The document is an undergraduate thesis that explores the relationship between U.S. public diplomacy and foreign public opinion. It analyzes how various forms of U.S. public diplomacy, such as high-level visits, social media engagement, and press releases, have impacted changes in foreign public opinion from 2009 to 2016. Through regression analysis and analysis of variance, the thesis finds no statistically significant association between public diplomacy activities and changes in opinion. However, it reveals a slight trend where countries more inclined to view the U.S. favorably had greater increases in opinion, while less favorable countries had greater decreases.
A critical discourse analysis of the left and right wing ideologies in pakist...Alexander Decker
The document analyzes the left and right wing ideologies presented in editorials in two Pakistani English newspapers, Daily Dawn and Daily Nation, regarding Osama Bin Laden's death and the attack on PNS Mehran naval base. It finds that the editorials construct reality and promote the ideologies of their perspective newspapers. Through critical discourse analysis of 20 selected editorials, the analysis reveals that editorial writers exploit the "us vs. them" framework and use polarized vocabulary to portray political actors and events in a way that is representative of the dominant ideologies of the left-leaning Daily Dawn or the right-leaning Daily Nation.
Words on International Organization: A Rhetorical Analysis of Nationalist Lea...Kirstin Anderson
This document provides context for analyzing the rhetoric of nationalist leaders in the US, UK, and France regarding international organizations. It discusses the rise of nationalist sentiment in these countries through figures like Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, and Brexit. The research question examines how these leaders rhetorically address international organizations in speeches. It hypothesizes some cultural differences but similar views in support of nationalism. The document reviews literature on nationalist movements and political communication to provide background and establish the analytical framework.
The article “China’s public diplomacy and communication strategy in the US: lessons for Pakistan” was written by Bilal Zubair and Nazir Hussain in December 2020. The article highlights the importance of public diplomacy in the era of modern communication in order to create and maintain the dominance over others.
Communication is seen as an important component of public diplomacy to know how governments interact with foreign publics. As an emerging power, China has been actively expanding its presence in the global communication landscape through public diplomacy. Western media consider it a threat in global leadership for the sole super power The United States. China's rise as an emerging power has disturbed the power distribution in the international system. The article also highlights that how public diplomacy and external communication have been a neglected area of research in Pakistan.
Modern Presidential Communications - Communicating Presidential Rhetorical Vi...Rahul Singh
Want to be President of the United States of America? Want to launch a product that puts a "dent in the universe?" These things don't just happen. You will need to be a master of rhetoric and understand how to persuade the masses using proven campaign techniques from both political and commercial marketing campaigns.
This review on modern presidential rhetoric combines ideas used in presidential campaigns from FDR, Reagan, Obama, JFK, and more.
This document summarizes Jesper Strömbäck's four phases of mediatization theory. The four phases are: 1) mass media becomes the main source of information, 2) mass media becomes independent from political power, 3) political and social actors start adapting to mass media, and 4) social and political actors internalize media logic. The document provides context on Strömbäck and what media logic is. It then analyzes the four phases theory, noting the phases occurred from the 17th century to present day. The document concludes with a SWOT analysis of the four phases theory.
This honors thesis examines the US government's use of music as a tactic in cultural diplomacy efforts over time, beginning with the Cold War. It analyzes how American musicians have been utilized as representatives to further public relations goals abroad, and discusses the functionality of this practice within strategic communication. The study explores the extent to which the government has sponsored international tours of sports teams and musical groups to showcase American culture and positively shape perceptions of the US.
This was a talk to George Washington University students about how the process of government and politics is becoming 'mediatised'. By that I mean that the process of creating and implementing policies, as well as reporting and deliberating upon politics, is becoming saturated in an unprecedented volume and variety of sources, platforms and content creators. This creates a kind of networked politics. This has good aspects and bad.
The document discusses different views of the relationship between the media, the state, and the political process. It begins by outlining two views: that the media is controlled by powerful companies who impose their views, and that the media acts as a watchdog criticizing politicians. It then provides learning objectives about discussing the role of mass media in democracies and authoritarian regimes. Finally, it outlines various theories including the pluralist view that media reflects a range of interests, the Marxist view that media reinforces the status quo, and neo-Marxist and postmodernist critiques of these views.
Issues of Objectivity and Credibility regarding Political news on Social mediaAqsa Nadeem
This document is a research proposal examining credibility and objectivity issues regarding political news shared on social media. It discusses how leaders of political parties in Pakistan, such as PTI and PAT, used Facebook to criticize the government and other parties from August to November 2014. The proposal aims to analyze public responses on Facebook to see if they are emotionally biased or consider the credibility of news. The literature review discusses past research on media attribution, contingent factors affecting credibility, and bias. However, none have specifically analyzed political campaigns on social media. The methodology will use content analysis to code Facebook comments on key parties for neutrality, subjectivity, and contempt. A pilot study analyzed 40 comments, finding most PTI and PAT supporters followed leaders blindly
This document discusses the relationship between media and politics. It explores how politicians, journalists, and citizens shape news coverage and how media has changed politics. Media now plays a central role in politics by influencing politicians and political campaigns. Politicians also try to influence media coverage. The relationship is complex, with both sides relying on each other while also exerting power over one another. Foundations provide over $1.8 billion in funding to support various media-related activities in the U.S. Accountability and independence of media is important to balance the rights of individuals, communities, and press freedom.
States can use popular culture to further their interests and security, especially during times of war when popular culture is used as propaganda to portray the nation as heroic and its enemies as villains, legitimizing the use of hard power. Popular culture also plays a role in constituting world politics by constructing perceptions of other nations, states, and groups over time. Courtney Brown divides the relationship between music and politics into two methodological camps: representational, which focuses on overtly political messages in music, and associational, which focuses on how music is used in media events to engage with political causes. The concept of "media events" originally referred to live broadcasts that interrupted daily life and integrated societies, but recent studies suggest they may
Interpersonal Paper Assignment After watching a film .docxvrickens
Interpersonal Paper Assignment
After watching a film from the attached list, you will write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double-spaced, one inch
margins, 12 point font) discussing the communication concepts found within the movie. Please answer the
following questions in paragraph format.
In addition to the 2-3 pages, include a cover sheet with your name, class day, and class time.
1. Choose two concepts from the list below.
2. First define and explain in your own words your understanding of the concepts AND their sub-categories.
3. Next, use specific examples from the movie to further demonstrate your understanding of the concepts
and their relation to individual characters or relationships.
Chapter 7 Concepts
1. Social Penetration Model
2. Johari Window
a. Open
b. Hidden
c. Blind
d. Unknown
3. Relational Spirals
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Cyclical
Chapter 8 Concepts
1. Types of Friendships
2. Parenting Styles
Chapter 9 Concepts
1. Stages of Romantic Relationships (include all relevant stages you saw in the movie)
2. Love Languages
3. Dialectical Perspectives
4. Deception in Romantic Relationships
5. Conflict Expression Styles
Sample format for paper:
I. Introduction
A. Attention- Getter
B. Thesis
C. Preview
II. Body
A. Concept 1
a. Definition
b. Examples
B. Concept 2
a. Definition
b. Examples
III. Conclusion
A. Review
B. Effective Last Statement
Extra Credit (up to 10 points) – Choose another concept listed on this paper to examine and write a one-page
response that answers the questions listed above. Please label this section EXTRA CREDIT on a separate page.
MOVIES TO CHOOSE FROM
When Harry Met Sally
Office Space
Remember the Titans
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Steel Magnolias
You’ve Got Mail
Hitch
Dead Poet’s Society
Almost Famous
Crash
Elizabethtown
Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Will Hunting
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Knocked Up
Shallow Hal
How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
Love Actually
Mona Lisa Smile
The Notebook
Garden State
Shawshank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Forrest Gump
Little Miss Sunshine
Walk the Line
Chasing Amy
8 Mile
The War
Juno
Fight Club
40 Year Old Virgin
He’s Just Not That into You
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Journal of Contemporary China, 2016
Vol. 25, no. 100, 628–642
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2015.1132961
Establishing Confucius Institutes: a tool for promoting China’s soft
power?
Ying Zhoua and Sabrina Lukb
aWuhan university, China; bKunming university of Science and technology, China
1. Introduction
The rise of China as a global power is undoubtedly one of the major transformations of the post-Cold
War international system. There are a lot of figures and facts demonstrating China’s rise to economic
and political power. However, China’s rise has drawn worldwide attention. Western powers and media
have propagat ...
Interpersonal Paper Assignment After watching a film .docxbagotjesusa
Interpersonal Paper Assignment
After watching a film from the attached list, you will write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double-spaced, one inch
margins, 12 point font) discussing the communication concepts found within the movie. Please answer the
following questions in paragraph format.
In addition to the 2-3 pages, include a cover sheet with your name, class day, and class time.
1. Choose two concepts from the list below.
2. First define and explain in your own words your understanding of the concepts AND their sub-categories.
3. Next, use specific examples from the movie to further demonstrate your understanding of the concepts
and their relation to individual characters or relationships.
Chapter 7 Concepts
1. Social Penetration Model
2. Johari Window
a. Open
b. Hidden
c. Blind
d. Unknown
3. Relational Spirals
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Cyclical
Chapter 8 Concepts
1. Types of Friendships
2. Parenting Styles
Chapter 9 Concepts
1. Stages of Romantic Relationships (include all relevant stages you saw in the movie)
2. Love Languages
3. Dialectical Perspectives
4. Deception in Romantic Relationships
5. Conflict Expression Styles
Sample format for paper:
I. Introduction
A. Attention- Getter
B. Thesis
C. Preview
II. Body
A. Concept 1
a. Definition
b. Examples
B. Concept 2
a. Definition
b. Examples
III. Conclusion
A. Review
B. Effective Last Statement
Extra Credit (up to 10 points) – Choose another concept listed on this paper to examine and write a one-page
response that answers the questions listed above. Please label this section EXTRA CREDIT on a separate page.
MOVIES TO CHOOSE FROM
When Harry Met Sally
Office Space
Remember the Titans
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Steel Magnolias
You’ve Got Mail
Hitch
Dead Poet’s Society
Almost Famous
Crash
Elizabethtown
Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Will Hunting
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Knocked Up
Shallow Hal
How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
Love Actually
Mona Lisa Smile
The Notebook
Garden State
Shawshank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Forrest Gump
Little Miss Sunshine
Walk the Line
Chasing Amy
8 Mile
The War
Juno
Fight Club
40 Year Old Virgin
He’s Just Not That into You
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Journal of Contemporary China, 2016
Vol. 25, no. 100, 628–642
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2015.1132961
Establishing Confucius Institutes: a tool for promoting China’s soft
power?
Ying Zhoua and Sabrina Lukb
aWuhan university, China; bKunming university of Science and technology, China
1. Introduction
The rise of China as a global power is undoubtedly one of the major transformations of the post-Cold
War international system. There are a lot of figures and facts demonstrating China’s rise to economic
and political power. However, China’s rise has drawn worldwide attention. Western powers and media
have propagat.
Compassion Essays. The Essence of Kindness and Compassion Essay Example Topi...Teresa Laverty
On Compassion Example (500 Words) - PHDessay.com. On Compassion | PDF | Essays | Compassion. The Day of Compassion Assignment. COMPASSION. Compassion Essay.pdf - Tell a personal experience in which you think .... ⇉Concept Analysis on Compassion Fatigue in Nursing Essay Example .... Compassion Essay | Compassion | Religion And Belief. Why Compassion is the Most Important Thing in. Ascher's “On Compassion”.
The document outlines the course content for a public relations course. It discusses definitions of public relations, the origins and history of the field, research methods, planning, evaluation, international public relations, and fundamentals of public relations writing. Key topics covered include Grunig and Hunt's widely cited definition of public relations as the management of communication between an organization and its publics, the development of public relations in the early 20th century, and the historical background and development of public relations in Africa.
This document is an introduction to a book on recognizing propaganda in the media. It discusses how propaganda has evolved with new digital technologies and social media, which allow widespread anonymous dissemination of information to target audiences. The introduction outlines three key aspects that help propaganda succeed: psychological profiling of groups, developing divisive content, and using bots to initially spread this content. It argues that people are not prepared for the new information environment and that journalism has become a conduit for propaganda by blurring the lines between facts and interpretation. The introduction presents the rest of the book as providing concrete standards for identifying propaganda in media based on violations of professional journalism standards.
World War I: Propaganda Essay Example | StudyHippo.com. Stunning World War 2 Propaganda Essay ~ Thatsnotus. 008 World War Propaganda Essay Ww2causes ~ Thatsnotus.
The Condition of the Public Relations Industry in Poland: Current Situation a...Dariusz Tworzydło
Purpose: The most important research objective of the project described in this article is to examine the condition of the public relations (PR) industry in Poland in the context of changes taking place in the economy in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research referred to a study conducted with the use of an auditorium survey in April 2019. The research sample consisted of 253 PR consultants, from various companies and organizations operating in Poland. The second project was a study aimed at understanding the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the PR industry. 242 PR industry specialists were examined in this project.
Findings: PR specialists in Poland are aware of the challenges and understand how to support companies and institutions affected by the crisis and operating in a changed reality. In our research, six areas have been defined, which may provide a new direction for the PR agency when preparing the service offer. Most of the respondents believe that a PR agency's potential clients will seek external help in communication services like media relations, digital PR, crisis management, lobbying, public affairs, event management, and influencer relations.
Practical Implications: The article presents real and representative opinions of the public relations community expressing concerns and defining the directions of changes caused by the COVID pandemic.
Originality/Value: The article presents the most recent and up-to-date research results on the condition of the PR industry in Poland, which is an important element of the European public relations market. The obtained research results are representative for Poland.
The Image of Africa in China: The Emerging Role of Chinese Social MediaEric Olander
China and Africa are both developing at a fast pace and consolidating their relationship with each other, constituting another pole of the world, as described by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to the African Union in May 2014. China is taking a more active lead in terms of this relationship. Its investments in African infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing industry, mining, and trade have brought noteworthy positive impacts on the continent’s social and economic development, but some of them have resulted in controversy and serious local debates due to the Chinese lack of knowledge regarding local customs, legal systems, and lifestyles. Thus how the Chinese perceive Africa and how they receive information about Africa has become a serious factor in this bilateral relationship’s sustainable and mutually beneficial future.
Political Myths of the African Great Lakes Regionijtsrd
This document discusses political myths in the African Great Lakes region, which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. It begins by reviewing definitions of political myth from various scholars and perspectives. It then discusses the development and role of political myths in the region throughout history, from the pre-colonial period to today. The main points are that political myths are used by politicians and rebels to gain and maintain power, and serve the interests of those holding political and economic power more than the states and nations themselves. Myths help justify failures and inequalities in poorer nations. Understanding political myths is important for comprehending politics and conflicts in the region.
This document discusses the history of political communication research. It covers the early scholarship from thinkers like Walter Lippmann who studied how the media shapes public perceptions. It also discusses the development of propaganda and different theories around media effects. Key theories mentioned include the two-step flow model and research showing limited to moderate media effects. The document concludes by discussing social scientific research methods used in political communication research like content analysis, experiments, and surveys.
The document analyzes Venezuelan government propaganda over the last 5 years. It identifies the main techniques used, including stereotypes, appealing to emotions, repetition of slogans, and portraying enemies. Graphically, propaganda features Hugo Chavez's image, revolutionary symbols, and slogans. The document argues the propaganda aims to shape public opinion and create an ideological unanimity in support of the regime through emotional rather than rational messages. It also discusses how Chavez has taken on characteristics of a "lovemark" to inspire passion and connection beyond reason.
Cyber-nationalism and China’s Foreign Policy in A New Era: An Empirical Study...Luna Zeng
In 2016-17, waves of nationalist sentiment raised in the Chinese online sphere as the South China Sea Arbitration released its award and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system has been deployed. The non-traditional targets of criticism, the increasingly assertive foreign policy, and the renewed domestic propaganda strategy result in features that did not exist in the previous popular nationalism in China. This paper studies the online nationalist discourse of these two cases and how it was shaped by China’s foreign strategy, the specific policy reactions to the Arbitration and the THAAD, and the narrative of state media, and argues that the popular nationalism and the confrontational Chinese foreign policy has converged with and mutually reinforced each other. The findings suggest that, on the one hand, the online discourse is characterized by dispersed focuses on specific dimensions of Chinese foreign policy, including the controversial perceptions on international norms, economic tools in diplomacy and other strategies adopted by the Chinese government. On the other hand, with the assistance of the active and responsive state media, the official narratives have been internalized through netizen’s internal interpretation, discussion, and justification of the foreign policy. Despite the lack of transparency in the foreign policy decision-making in China, these features still imply less pressure that Chinese government faces to respond to popular nationalist demand domestically while simultaneously pursuing national interests in the international arena, as these two demands are no longer antitheses to each other.
This document summarizes the views of Chinese intellectuals on the transition from China 2.0 to China 3.0. China 2.0 referred to the period from 1978 to 2008 defined by Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms and export-led growth model. However, recent scandals have highlighted tensions in Chinese society caused by inequality rather than poverty. Additionally, social media is challenging China's traditional approach to stability. As a result, Chinese intellectuals believe China has reached the end of the China 2.0 era and is transitioning to China 3.0, which will involve changes to China's development model and political system.
This document provides an introduction to a book titled "China 3.0" edited by Mark Leonard. It summarizes debates taking place among Chinese intellectual, political, and economic elites about China's future growth model, political system, and foreign policy. The book features contributions from experts on different sides of key issues, ranging from left to right politically and from neoconservatives to liberals. It aims to shed light on influential ideas that may shape China's trajectory, rather than make conclusions. The introduction acknowledges support from foundations that have backed the project and ECFR's China program.
China's Evolving Approach to Foreign Policy and Development The Case of SudanGeoffrey Thoma
This document discusses the origins and philosophies of China and Western foreign policy principles. It outlines the key principles of the Washington Consensus that guided Western development assistance, including policies promoting free markets, privatization and macroeconomic stability. These principles were applied through IMF and World Bank structural adjustment programs, but resulted in increased poverty in many developing nations. China's approach of non-interference offered an alternative and appealed more to African governments, leading to China's growing influence on the continent in recent decades.
This document summarizes Jesper Strömbäck's four phases of mediatization theory. The four phases are: 1) mass media becomes the main source of information, 2) mass media becomes independent from political power, 3) political and social actors start adapting to mass media, and 4) social and political actors internalize media logic. The document provides context on Strömbäck and what media logic is. It then analyzes the four phases theory, noting the phases occurred from the 17th century to present day. The document concludes with a SWOT analysis of the four phases theory.
This honors thesis examines the US government's use of music as a tactic in cultural diplomacy efforts over time, beginning with the Cold War. It analyzes how American musicians have been utilized as representatives to further public relations goals abroad, and discusses the functionality of this practice within strategic communication. The study explores the extent to which the government has sponsored international tours of sports teams and musical groups to showcase American culture and positively shape perceptions of the US.
This was a talk to George Washington University students about how the process of government and politics is becoming 'mediatised'. By that I mean that the process of creating and implementing policies, as well as reporting and deliberating upon politics, is becoming saturated in an unprecedented volume and variety of sources, platforms and content creators. This creates a kind of networked politics. This has good aspects and bad.
The document discusses different views of the relationship between the media, the state, and the political process. It begins by outlining two views: that the media is controlled by powerful companies who impose their views, and that the media acts as a watchdog criticizing politicians. It then provides learning objectives about discussing the role of mass media in democracies and authoritarian regimes. Finally, it outlines various theories including the pluralist view that media reflects a range of interests, the Marxist view that media reinforces the status quo, and neo-Marxist and postmodernist critiques of these views.
Issues of Objectivity and Credibility regarding Political news on Social mediaAqsa Nadeem
This document is a research proposal examining credibility and objectivity issues regarding political news shared on social media. It discusses how leaders of political parties in Pakistan, such as PTI and PAT, used Facebook to criticize the government and other parties from August to November 2014. The proposal aims to analyze public responses on Facebook to see if they are emotionally biased or consider the credibility of news. The literature review discusses past research on media attribution, contingent factors affecting credibility, and bias. However, none have specifically analyzed political campaigns on social media. The methodology will use content analysis to code Facebook comments on key parties for neutrality, subjectivity, and contempt. A pilot study analyzed 40 comments, finding most PTI and PAT supporters followed leaders blindly
This document discusses the relationship between media and politics. It explores how politicians, journalists, and citizens shape news coverage and how media has changed politics. Media now plays a central role in politics by influencing politicians and political campaigns. Politicians also try to influence media coverage. The relationship is complex, with both sides relying on each other while also exerting power over one another. Foundations provide over $1.8 billion in funding to support various media-related activities in the U.S. Accountability and independence of media is important to balance the rights of individuals, communities, and press freedom.
States can use popular culture to further their interests and security, especially during times of war when popular culture is used as propaganda to portray the nation as heroic and its enemies as villains, legitimizing the use of hard power. Popular culture also plays a role in constituting world politics by constructing perceptions of other nations, states, and groups over time. Courtney Brown divides the relationship between music and politics into two methodological camps: representational, which focuses on overtly political messages in music, and associational, which focuses on how music is used in media events to engage with political causes. The concept of "media events" originally referred to live broadcasts that interrupted daily life and integrated societies, but recent studies suggest they may
Interpersonal Paper Assignment After watching a film .docxvrickens
Interpersonal Paper Assignment
After watching a film from the attached list, you will write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double-spaced, one inch
margins, 12 point font) discussing the communication concepts found within the movie. Please answer the
following questions in paragraph format.
In addition to the 2-3 pages, include a cover sheet with your name, class day, and class time.
1. Choose two concepts from the list below.
2. First define and explain in your own words your understanding of the concepts AND their sub-categories.
3. Next, use specific examples from the movie to further demonstrate your understanding of the concepts
and their relation to individual characters or relationships.
Chapter 7 Concepts
1. Social Penetration Model
2. Johari Window
a. Open
b. Hidden
c. Blind
d. Unknown
3. Relational Spirals
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Cyclical
Chapter 8 Concepts
1. Types of Friendships
2. Parenting Styles
Chapter 9 Concepts
1. Stages of Romantic Relationships (include all relevant stages you saw in the movie)
2. Love Languages
3. Dialectical Perspectives
4. Deception in Romantic Relationships
5. Conflict Expression Styles
Sample format for paper:
I. Introduction
A. Attention- Getter
B. Thesis
C. Preview
II. Body
A. Concept 1
a. Definition
b. Examples
B. Concept 2
a. Definition
b. Examples
III. Conclusion
A. Review
B. Effective Last Statement
Extra Credit (up to 10 points) – Choose another concept listed on this paper to examine and write a one-page
response that answers the questions listed above. Please label this section EXTRA CREDIT on a separate page.
MOVIES TO CHOOSE FROM
When Harry Met Sally
Office Space
Remember the Titans
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Steel Magnolias
You’ve Got Mail
Hitch
Dead Poet’s Society
Almost Famous
Crash
Elizabethtown
Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Will Hunting
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Knocked Up
Shallow Hal
How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
Love Actually
Mona Lisa Smile
The Notebook
Garden State
Shawshank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Forrest Gump
Little Miss Sunshine
Walk the Line
Chasing Amy
8 Mile
The War
Juno
Fight Club
40 Year Old Virgin
He’s Just Not That into You
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Journal of Contemporary China, 2016
Vol. 25, no. 100, 628–642
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2015.1132961
Establishing Confucius Institutes: a tool for promoting China’s soft
power?
Ying Zhoua and Sabrina Lukb
aWuhan university, China; bKunming university of Science and technology, China
1. Introduction
The rise of China as a global power is undoubtedly one of the major transformations of the post-Cold
War international system. There are a lot of figures and facts demonstrating China’s rise to economic
and political power. However, China’s rise has drawn worldwide attention. Western powers and media
have propagat ...
Interpersonal Paper Assignment After watching a film .docxbagotjesusa
Interpersonal Paper Assignment
After watching a film from the attached list, you will write a 2-3 page paper (typed, double-spaced, one inch
margins, 12 point font) discussing the communication concepts found within the movie. Please answer the
following questions in paragraph format.
In addition to the 2-3 pages, include a cover sheet with your name, class day, and class time.
1. Choose two concepts from the list below.
2. First define and explain in your own words your understanding of the concepts AND their sub-categories.
3. Next, use specific examples from the movie to further demonstrate your understanding of the concepts
and their relation to individual characters or relationships.
Chapter 7 Concepts
1. Social Penetration Model
2. Johari Window
a. Open
b. Hidden
c. Blind
d. Unknown
3. Relational Spirals
a. Positive
b. Negative
c. Cyclical
Chapter 8 Concepts
1. Types of Friendships
2. Parenting Styles
Chapter 9 Concepts
1. Stages of Romantic Relationships (include all relevant stages you saw in the movie)
2. Love Languages
3. Dialectical Perspectives
4. Deception in Romantic Relationships
5. Conflict Expression Styles
Sample format for paper:
I. Introduction
A. Attention- Getter
B. Thesis
C. Preview
II. Body
A. Concept 1
a. Definition
b. Examples
B. Concept 2
a. Definition
b. Examples
III. Conclusion
A. Review
B. Effective Last Statement
Extra Credit (up to 10 points) – Choose another concept listed on this paper to examine and write a one-page
response that answers the questions listed above. Please label this section EXTRA CREDIT on a separate page.
MOVIES TO CHOOSE FROM
When Harry Met Sally
Office Space
Remember the Titans
Mr. Holland’s Opus
Steel Magnolias
You’ve Got Mail
Hitch
Dead Poet’s Society
Almost Famous
Crash
Elizabethtown
Fried Green Tomatoes
Good Will Hunting
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Knocked Up
Shallow Hal
How To Lose a Guy in Ten Days
Love Actually
Mona Lisa Smile
The Notebook
Garden State
Shawshank Redemption
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Forrest Gump
Little Miss Sunshine
Walk the Line
Chasing Amy
8 Mile
The War
Juno
Fight Club
40 Year Old Virgin
He’s Just Not That into You
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Slumdog Millionaire
Journal of Contemporary China, 2016
Vol. 25, no. 100, 628–642
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2015.1132961
Establishing Confucius Institutes: a tool for promoting China’s soft
power?
Ying Zhoua and Sabrina Lukb
aWuhan university, China; bKunming university of Science and technology, China
1. Introduction
The rise of China as a global power is undoubtedly one of the major transformations of the post-Cold
War international system. There are a lot of figures and facts demonstrating China’s rise to economic
and political power. However, China’s rise has drawn worldwide attention. Western powers and media
have propagat.
Compassion Essays. The Essence of Kindness and Compassion Essay Example Topi...Teresa Laverty
On Compassion Example (500 Words) - PHDessay.com. On Compassion | PDF | Essays | Compassion. The Day of Compassion Assignment. COMPASSION. Compassion Essay.pdf - Tell a personal experience in which you think .... ⇉Concept Analysis on Compassion Fatigue in Nursing Essay Example .... Compassion Essay | Compassion | Religion And Belief. Why Compassion is the Most Important Thing in. Ascher's “On Compassion”.
The document outlines the course content for a public relations course. It discusses definitions of public relations, the origins and history of the field, research methods, planning, evaluation, international public relations, and fundamentals of public relations writing. Key topics covered include Grunig and Hunt's widely cited definition of public relations as the management of communication between an organization and its publics, the development of public relations in the early 20th century, and the historical background and development of public relations in Africa.
This document is an introduction to a book on recognizing propaganda in the media. It discusses how propaganda has evolved with new digital technologies and social media, which allow widespread anonymous dissemination of information to target audiences. The introduction outlines three key aspects that help propaganda succeed: psychological profiling of groups, developing divisive content, and using bots to initially spread this content. It argues that people are not prepared for the new information environment and that journalism has become a conduit for propaganda by blurring the lines between facts and interpretation. The introduction presents the rest of the book as providing concrete standards for identifying propaganda in media based on violations of professional journalism standards.
World War I: Propaganda Essay Example | StudyHippo.com. Stunning World War 2 Propaganda Essay ~ Thatsnotus. 008 World War Propaganda Essay Ww2causes ~ Thatsnotus.
The Condition of the Public Relations Industry in Poland: Current Situation a...Dariusz Tworzydło
Purpose: The most important research objective of the project described in this article is to examine the condition of the public relations (PR) industry in Poland in the context of changes taking place in the economy in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research referred to a study conducted with the use of an auditorium survey in April 2019. The research sample consisted of 253 PR consultants, from various companies and organizations operating in Poland. The second project was a study aimed at understanding the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the PR industry. 242 PR industry specialists were examined in this project.
Findings: PR specialists in Poland are aware of the challenges and understand how to support companies and institutions affected by the crisis and operating in a changed reality. In our research, six areas have been defined, which may provide a new direction for the PR agency when preparing the service offer. Most of the respondents believe that a PR agency's potential clients will seek external help in communication services like media relations, digital PR, crisis management, lobbying, public affairs, event management, and influencer relations.
Practical Implications: The article presents real and representative opinions of the public relations community expressing concerns and defining the directions of changes caused by the COVID pandemic.
Originality/Value: The article presents the most recent and up-to-date research results on the condition of the PR industry in Poland, which is an important element of the European public relations market. The obtained research results are representative for Poland.
The Image of Africa in China: The Emerging Role of Chinese Social MediaEric Olander
China and Africa are both developing at a fast pace and consolidating their relationship with each other, constituting another pole of the world, as described by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during his visit to the African Union in May 2014. China is taking a more active lead in terms of this relationship. Its investments in African infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing industry, mining, and trade have brought noteworthy positive impacts on the continent’s social and economic development, but some of them have resulted in controversy and serious local debates due to the Chinese lack of knowledge regarding local customs, legal systems, and lifestyles. Thus how the Chinese perceive Africa and how they receive information about Africa has become a serious factor in this bilateral relationship’s sustainable and mutually beneficial future.
Political Myths of the African Great Lakes Regionijtsrd
This document discusses political myths in the African Great Lakes region, which includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. It begins by reviewing definitions of political myth from various scholars and perspectives. It then discusses the development and role of political myths in the region throughout history, from the pre-colonial period to today. The main points are that political myths are used by politicians and rebels to gain and maintain power, and serve the interests of those holding political and economic power more than the states and nations themselves. Myths help justify failures and inequalities in poorer nations. Understanding political myths is important for comprehending politics and conflicts in the region.
This document discusses the history of political communication research. It covers the early scholarship from thinkers like Walter Lippmann who studied how the media shapes public perceptions. It also discusses the development of propaganda and different theories around media effects. Key theories mentioned include the two-step flow model and research showing limited to moderate media effects. The document concludes by discussing social scientific research methods used in political communication research like content analysis, experiments, and surveys.
The document analyzes Venezuelan government propaganda over the last 5 years. It identifies the main techniques used, including stereotypes, appealing to emotions, repetition of slogans, and portraying enemies. Graphically, propaganda features Hugo Chavez's image, revolutionary symbols, and slogans. The document argues the propaganda aims to shape public opinion and create an ideological unanimity in support of the regime through emotional rather than rational messages. It also discusses how Chavez has taken on characteristics of a "lovemark" to inspire passion and connection beyond reason.
Cyber-nationalism and China’s Foreign Policy in A New Era: An Empirical Study...Luna Zeng
In 2016-17, waves of nationalist sentiment raised in the Chinese online sphere as the South China Sea Arbitration released its award and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system has been deployed. The non-traditional targets of criticism, the increasingly assertive foreign policy, and the renewed domestic propaganda strategy result in features that did not exist in the previous popular nationalism in China. This paper studies the online nationalist discourse of these two cases and how it was shaped by China’s foreign strategy, the specific policy reactions to the Arbitration and the THAAD, and the narrative of state media, and argues that the popular nationalism and the confrontational Chinese foreign policy has converged with and mutually reinforced each other. The findings suggest that, on the one hand, the online discourse is characterized by dispersed focuses on specific dimensions of Chinese foreign policy, including the controversial perceptions on international norms, economic tools in diplomacy and other strategies adopted by the Chinese government. On the other hand, with the assistance of the active and responsive state media, the official narratives have been internalized through netizen’s internal interpretation, discussion, and justification of the foreign policy. Despite the lack of transparency in the foreign policy decision-making in China, these features still imply less pressure that Chinese government faces to respond to popular nationalist demand domestically while simultaneously pursuing national interests in the international arena, as these two demands are no longer antitheses to each other.
This document summarizes the views of Chinese intellectuals on the transition from China 2.0 to China 3.0. China 2.0 referred to the period from 1978 to 2008 defined by Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms and export-led growth model. However, recent scandals have highlighted tensions in Chinese society caused by inequality rather than poverty. Additionally, social media is challenging China's traditional approach to stability. As a result, Chinese intellectuals believe China has reached the end of the China 2.0 era and is transitioning to China 3.0, which will involve changes to China's development model and political system.
This document provides an introduction to a book titled "China 3.0" edited by Mark Leonard. It summarizes debates taking place among Chinese intellectual, political, and economic elites about China's future growth model, political system, and foreign policy. The book features contributions from experts on different sides of key issues, ranging from left to right politically and from neoconservatives to liberals. It aims to shed light on influential ideas that may shape China's trajectory, rather than make conclusions. The introduction acknowledges support from foundations that have backed the project and ECFR's China program.
China's Evolving Approach to Foreign Policy and Development The Case of SudanGeoffrey Thoma
This document discusses the origins and philosophies of China and Western foreign policy principles. It outlines the key principles of the Washington Consensus that guided Western development assistance, including policies promoting free markets, privatization and macroeconomic stability. These principles were applied through IMF and World Bank structural adjustment programs, but resulted in increased poverty in many developing nations. China's approach of non-interference offered an alternative and appealed more to African governments, leading to China's growing influence on the continent in recent decades.
The Rise of China's State-Led Media Dynasty in Africa Eric Olander
This document provides an overview of China's rising influence in global media and its strategic focus on expanding its media presence in Africa. It discusses how China views soft power and its motivation to institutionalize media as part of its foreign policy. It traces China's growing media engagement in Africa since the 2000s, including the launch of CCTV Africa in Kenya in 2012. The document aims to understand China's global media strategy and the factors it must consider in expanding its reach into different regions like Africa.
Mamoun fandy (un)civil war of words media and politics in the arab world (2007)Agung Kurniawan
This document provides an introduction to the book "(Un)Civil War of Words: Media and Politics in the Arab World" by Mamoun Fandy. It discusses how the debate on Arab media has become polarized and ideological regarding outlets like Al Jazeera. It argues that understanding the history and context of Arab media ownership, as well as conflicts between Arab states and opposition groups, is key to analyzing Arab media. The introduction aims to develop a framework for understanding Arab media that moves beyond Western media theories and an East vs. West focus, instead examining the dynamics within the Arab region.
Africa and the ascendancy of modern china in internationalAlexander Decker
This document discusses Africa's role in China's rise as a global power since 1971. It argues that Africa diplomatically supported China in important ways, including providing many of the votes that allowed China to replace Taiwan in the UN and secure a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Africa also largely supported China's "One China" policy regarding sovereignty over Taiwan. The document asserts that Africa's diplomatic backing has been an important factor enabling China's increased international influence and status, though Africa's role is often overlooked in discussions of Sino-African relations.
This document discusses the relationship between media and foreign policy. It defines media and foreign policy, noting that media aims to reach mass audiences and foreign policy outlines how countries will interact globally. Media influences foreign policy through shaping public opinion, setting agendas, and justifying or marginalizing certain issues. The document provides examples of how Pakistani leaders and media have influenced public opinion to support foreign policy goals. It concludes that Pakistani media is growing more powerful and its relationship with foreign policy is still delicate.
Similar to Chinese relations with Africa – Does propaganda play a role? (20)
Chinese relations with Africa – Does propaganda play a role?
1. Chinese relations with Africa – Does propaganda play a role?
Kjell Kühne
20.7.08
Institute of Chinese Studies
Ruprecht- Karls-Universität Heidelberg
Seminar „Press & Propaganda“
SS 2007
Prof. Dr. Rudolf Wagner
Abstract
The past years have seen increasingly intense political and economic relations
between China and African countries. In this paper these relations are analyzed
from the aspect of propaganda. Propaganda is a tool in the official Chinese policy
toolbox. In Africa, conditions to apply the tool exist, but whether it is done
consistently remains doubtful. A number of issues are identified that could
warrant the use of propaganda by the Chinese government in its African
relations.
Content:
1. Introduction 4. Chinese Propaganda in Africa?
2. Propaganda 4.1. Necessary elements
2.1. Definition 4.2. Issues
2.2. Propaganda in China 4.3. Propaganda as part of a
3. Sino-African Relations bigger strategy
3.1. Historical overview 4.4. The view from the outside
3.2. Political perspective 5. Conclusions and Outlook
3.3. Economic perspective
2. 1. Introduction
China has become increasingly active on the African continent in recent years
and this activity has drawn the attention of scholars and journalists, among
others. While many accounts go along the lines of “China’s economy is hungry
for resources and in Africa they can be found”, a much more differentiated
picture can be formed by consulting the wealth of available recent publications.1
Most authors do not stop at describing the developments, but rather evaluate
the actions of the Chinese government, and many of these evaluations are not
termed in a neutral way. Rather, they leave no doubt about the author’s
contempt for the Chinese government. In those accounts, dishonesty of the
Chinese government is assumed.2 The Chinese government in turn defends their
engagement in Africa, sometimes counter-attacking Western countries. At the
coarsest level of analysis we can say that contradictory messages about the
situation are being sent. In such a situation, the possibility that propaganda is
involved is always latent. The current paper poses the question whether
propaganda by the Chinese plays a role in Sino-African relations. It does play an
important role in China and it may be assumed that it is one of the instruments
brought to the task of gaining influence in Africa. By answering that question, we
will be able to put the accusations of dishonesty into perspective. We will start by
looking at what propaganda is and how it is used in China. After a brief overview
of Sino-African relations we will turn to possible issues and means of propaganda.
The conclusion is that there is Chinese propaganda in Africa, but it is dwarfed by
actual deeds and should therefore not be overemphasized.
1
See: http://www.weltpolitik.net/Regionen/AsienPazifik/China/Dossier/akt_literatur.html and
http://www.saiia.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=176&Itemid=219 for
two online collections.
2
For a particularly worrying example, see: Landeszentrale für politische Bildung Baden-
Württemberg 2008, Volksrepublik China – Eine neue Weltmacht? Politik & Unterricht 34, 1, 1. pp.
52-55. This publication is aimed at German high school students and contains a collection of
extracts from different newspaper articles that use strong language, scolding China for its
involvement in Africa.
3. 2. Propaganda
Propaganda is a word that provokes different associations, most of them
negative. There are two aspects, under which propaganda can possibly be
considered “bad”.
First, propaganda can be used to further immoral goals. If it serves the “wrong”
goals, propaganda is seen as “bad”, when it serves the “right” goals, it is seen as
“good”. This is the predominant view when one’s opponent in a conflict uses
propaganda and oneself does so, too. In that case, there is a tendency to
portray the own propaganda as closer to “truth” as opposed to the opponents
propaganda which can rightfully be categorized as “lies”. 3
Second, propaganda itself can be considered immoral, because it usually involves
a selection and shaping of information into a form that deviates from the
principle of neutrality, in fact good propaganda will only leave the targeted
audience only one possible interpretation and lead to their action in the desired
sense. This can be seen as manipulation, which is of course a “bad” thing. But let
us define propaganda first.
2.1. Definition
The phenomenon of propaganda seems particularly difficult to grasp in theory,
due to a wealth of different forms that this mode of communication can take in
practice. 4 But of course, for the current purpose of answering the question
whether Chinese propaganda in Africa exists, we need a standard against which
to measure what we find. Therefore, the following definition will guide us in this
paper:
“Propaganda are designed attempts to influence the opinions, attitudes and
behaviors of target groups through communication, guided by a political goal.”
3
E.g. Baumann, Gerhard 1941, Grundlagen und Praxis der internationalen Propaganda. Essen:
Essener Verlagsanstalt.
4
Leonard Doob, an important figure in the propaganda literature, went so far as to express that
“a clear-cut definition of propaganda” is “neither possible nor desirable.” - Doob, Leonard 1989,
Propaganda. In: Barnouw, E. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Communications. Oxford, Vol. 3,
370-382. p. 375, cited after Bussemer 2005.
4. It is a translation of Maletzke’s definition from 1972.5 In addition, Thymian
Bussemer provides a helpful collection of characteristics of propaganda, 6 some of
which I would like to cite:
- Propaganda is communication.
- Propaganda is not physical, but symbolical.
- Propaganda is a technique with defined goals and strategies.
- Propaganda requires public opinion to have an influence on political decisions
and the media to be the most important organizers of public discourse.
- Propaganda uses truth as an instrument only where necessary.
He further reminds us of the distinction between white propaganda, where the
sender and the addressee are clear and black propaganda where the author of
the message does not reveal himself.
Bruno Lasker 7 distinguishes between propaganda in the fields of advertising,
education and international relations. In the latter, which is the one of interest
for the question at hand, he mentions two aspects: influencing the actions of
foreign states a influencing public opinion about foreign policy in the home
nd
country. Both are relevant to the question, although the former constitutes the
main focus.
2.2. Propaganda in China
While different editions of the official Chinese Encyclopedia give differen t
definitions of propaganda, 8 the common element is that propaganda is portrayed
as a means of influencing people, a legitimate means when in the hands of the
5
Maletzke, Gerhard 1972, Propaganda. Eine begriffskritische Analyse. Publizistik 17, 2, 153-164.
p. 157, cited after: Bussemer 2005.
6
Bussemer, Thymian 2005, Propaganda – Konzepte und Theorien. Wiesbaden: Verlag für
Sozialwissenschaften, p. 29-32.
7
Lasker, Bruno 1937, Review: Propaganda, its psychology and technique. by Leonard W. Doob.
Pacific Affairs 10, 1, 113-116.
8
See: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 1990, ? ? ? ? : ? ? ? p. 427- 429. ? ? : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , ?
? ? ? ? ? ? 1991, ? ? ? : ? ? ? p. 475-476. ? ? : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? and ? ? ? ? ?
? ? 1991, ? ? ? : ? ? ? ? ? : ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
5. right actor. In line with that understanding of propaganda, in the PRC, the
oversight of the press is the responsibility of the Department of Propaganda,
directly under the politburo (see fig. 1).9
Figure 1. The institutional context of the Department of Propaganda in the PRC.
Source: Zheng & Lye 2004.
For the Western reader, who carries with him t e negative connotations of
h
propaganda, it is therefore important to take note of the fact that in China,
propaganda is a part of everyday government business.
3. Sino-African Relations
3.1. Historical overview
There have been a number of contacts between China and African states in past
centuries and even millennia, especially during the Tang Dynasty. Most notably,
in the 15 th century admiral Zheng He visited East Africa several times with his
9
For a more detailed description with a focus on recent reforms see: Zheng, Yongnian & Lye,
Liang Fook 2004, China's Propaganda Reforms (I): Rapid Changes in Media Scene. EAI
Background Brief No. 201.
6. fleet. But if we are looking for continuity, then little contacts extend into the past
beyond the 1950s.10 In the PRC era, the first boost for Sino-African relations was
the Bandung conference. In the 1960s Zhou Enlai visited Africa three times and a
common Third-world cause was invoked. China got actively involved in the
military field by supporting independence struggles and started to give aid in the
form of agricultural and industrial cooperation, building roads and railways,
sending medical staff and giving out loans to favorable conditions.11 The African
consideration was a support of China at the United Nations, where the numerical
importance of African countries played out for China and in 1971 they took
permanent seat in the UN Security Council. 12 Following the reform policies in
China and the subsequent economic rise, a new dynamism has caught Sino-
African relations since the end of the 1990s. We will analyze the latest
developments a bit more in detail from a political and an economic perspective.
3.2. Political perspective
Diplomatic ties with most African countries have been getting ever closer over
the last few years. Beijing places a lot of importance on it African Policy, to the
degree that they released a White Paper describing their strategy on the
continent. 13 Furthermore, it is visiting and promoting exchanges with many
different African countries and these initiatives are very well received. Since 2000
Beijing holds regular summits called Forums on China-Africa Cooperation
(FOCAC), at the last one in November 2006 in Beijing the majority of all African
10
See: Gao, Jinyuan 1984, China and Africa: The Development of Relations over Many Centuries.
African Affairs 83, 331, 241-250 for an overview.
11
Ibid.
12
For a detailed account of Sino-African relations in the past century see: Snow, Philip 1989, The
star raft: China's encounter with Africa. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press. For a compact
overview (in German) of Chinese foreign policy from 1949 to 2004 with helpful indications on
further literature see: Möller, Kay 2005, D Aussenpolitik der Volksrepublik China 1949-2004.
ie
Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, Wiesbaden.
13
Chinese Government 2006, China's African Policy. retrieved from People's Daily Online on July
11th 2008 at http://english.people.com.cn/200601/12/eng20060112_234894.html.
7. heads of state was present. China has been wooing African leaders’ support with
such projects as a new presidential residence in Namibia and Gabon and a
foreign ministry in Rwanda.14 From little presents to billion-dollar loans, and artist
exchanges to building contracts, Beijing uses a wide range of measures to
improve relations with African countries. Development aid is one further facet of
this policy. Generally speaking, China is considered an interesting and attractive
model, whose development path can inspire African imitation, because it seems
much closer than the kind of “development” known from Europe or the US .
Confucius Institutes are Chinese Institutions that serve to spread the Chinese
language and foster all kinds of exchanges. The first one was established in
Korea in 2004, and since then, they have been rapidly growing in number in the
whole world. 15 By the end of 2007, there were 12 Confucius Institutes in Africa.
They are part of a bigger field of so-called cultural diplomacy.
3.3. Economic perspective
Trade between China and Africa has been growing exponentially since the
beginning of the millennium. By 2005 trade volume reached 40 billion US dollars.
It is important to note, that all African countries with the exception of Somalia
(which exports a lot of fish) and the oil-exporting countries have a trade deficit
vis-à-vis China.16 Oil constitutes roughly 70% of China’s imports, while the rest
are mainly primary resources, too (wood, cotton, metals, precious stones). China
is mainly selling manufactured goods and in the case of Chinese textiles, which
are highly competitive this has lead to the decline in local African industries. This,
as well as the trade imbalance is recognized as a problem and the huge aid flow
from China to Africa, that is due to be doubled from 2006 to 2009 can be seen
as an attempt to alleviate the consequences of that imbalance. In the early to
14
Grill, B. 2006, Die neuen Kolonialherren. Die Zeit 38/2006.
15
Liu, Hong 2007, The Dynamics of China’s African Cultural Diplomacy. Presentation at the
conference "China in Africa: Who Benefits?" Frankfurt, 14-15 December 2007.
16
OECD 2006, L’Afrique et la Chine. In: OECD, Atlas de l'Intégration Régionale en Afrique de
l'Ouest. Série économie. CEDEAO-CSAO/OCDE.
8. mid 2000s, Chinese investors and state agencies spent billions of Euros on road-
building in Kenya, a hydroelectric dam in Ghana and a mobile phone network in
Ethiopia. China is Africa’s third most important trade partner, after France and
the USA.
4. Chinese Propaganda in Africa?
As we have seen, quite a lot is happening in terms of increasing ties between
China and Africa. For our question, those developments provide only the
background, against which propaganda operations could be performed.
4.1. Necessary elements
Propaganda always consists of a few necessary elements:
1. An institution doing it.
2. A target group.
3. A goal towards which it is geared.
4. A means of communication.
Let us start out by trying to identify where they could be found in China-Africa
relations.
Institutional setup: Even though I am ignorant of any specific Chinese
institution that would officially deal with outward-bound propaganda, the first
place to look are Chinese Embassies. In fact, their internet pages sometimes
feature articles that represent a certain view on Sino-African relations.17
Target groups: The main target group are African elites, since they have a
much more direct impact on their country’s foreign policy. The influence of public
opinion on foreign policy, which is already doubted by scholars for Western
18
democracies, is arguably not strong enough in most African countries to
17
See e.g.: Chinese Embassy in South Africa (2006), Sitting on the time bomb: friendly advice or
propaganda. November 11, 2006. A vailable at http://www.chinese-
embassy.org.za/eng/zt/thirdeye/t282964.htm.
18 Hill, Christopher 1981, Public Opinion and British Foreign Policy. Millennium 10, 1, cited after
Alden, Chris 2006, Through African Eyes: Representations of China on the African continent.
Unpublished paper presented at SciPo/Fudan/LSE conference, October 2006.
9. warrant spending time and effort on trying to influence it through propaganda,
the notable exception being South Africa19 The examples of “political warfare”
that Donovan Chau has gathered 20 would suggest that elites are not the only
target group and the wider public would be included in Chinese considerations as
well.
Goal: China’s perspective in Africa is extremely long-term as can be seen from
their publicized strategy. 21 This allows a very general and flexible approach while
furthering the general goal of improving relations with the countries on the
continent and gaining social, economic and moral capital.
Means: Already since 2001, Chinese CCTV has allowed the Kenya Broadcasting
Corporation to use its programs geared to international audiences. This offer was
complemented with the donation of technical equipment. 22 Later on, in 2006,
Chinese Radio International (CRI) established a FM radio station in Nairobi
(“Africa Express”) and is sending a program mainly in English, but also in
Chinese and in Swahili.23 This is obviously an effort to establish a more direct
communication link with the people in Kenya, outside the elites (for the elites,
English would be enough). In order to establish whether propaganda is sent over
that station, an analysis of its programs is needed. But taking into account the
positive attitude of the Chinese government towards propaganda (see section
2.2), it is very likely that this channel is used for carrying messages that can be
subsumed under that label.
19
The “battle of arguments” between Taipei and Beijing that was fought in the 1990s over the
question which of the two Chinas should the post-Apartheid RSA stick with was probably
something that can be called propagandistic – and here we have the characteristic of a public
opinion that does have an impact on political decisions. See also: Geldenhuys, Deon 1997, The
politics of South Africa's 'China switch'. Issues and Studies (Taipei) 33, 7, 93-131.
20
Chau, Donovan C. 2007, POLITICAL WARFARE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: U.S. CAPABILITIES
AND CHINESE OPERATIONS IN ETHIOPIA, KENYA, NIGERIA, AND SOUTH AFRICA. U.S. Strategic
Studies Institute. retrieved on July 11, 2008 from
http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB766.pdf.
21
Chinese Government 2006, China's African Policy. retrieved from People's Daily Online on July
11th 2008 at http://english.people.com.cn/200601/12/eng20060112_234894.html.
22
Chau 2007.
23
Liu, Hong 2007, The Dynamics of China’s African Cultural Diplomacy. Presentation at the
conference "China in Africa: Who Benefits?" Frankfurt, 14-15 December 2007.
10. 4.2. Issues
I would like to make a distinction between two different modes of
communication in propaganda: defensive and offensive. A defensive stance
needs to be taken on all issues that are perceived by the target audience to be
negative behavior of the actor. An offensive stance is taken when the situation
that is referred to is largely perceived as positive (as far as the actor in question
– in this case the Chinese government or the Chinese people – is concerned) or
can be made to appear as such. The following issues are possibly relevant to
Chinese propaganda on the African continent:
Positive Issues: Prestigious development projects, such as roads, dams and
infrastructure in general; trade links; Chinese aid; exchanges. All of these make
for good occasions to promote the Chinese government’s views of their relations
to African countries. These occasions are of course used and according
pronouncements are made public over the press or over the internet.
Non-interference in internal affairs and respect of sovereignty. These principles
of Chinese involvement are a big asset for China’s attractiveness for some
African leaders. Even though heavily criticized in the Western media, in China’s
communications, these principles are stressed as good Chinese practice. But
there seem to be exceptions to the rule: In Zimbabwe, the Chinese have been
purported to provide president Mugabe with T-Shirts for his electoral campaign,
as well as with equipment for jamming opposition radio stations 24, in Zambia,
China threatened to sever diplomatic ties, if Michael Sata, the opposition leader
who was openly anti-Chinese was to win the elections 25, and in Sudan, China has
deployed several thousand soldiers to protect an oil pipeline.26
24
Eisenman, Joshua & Kurlantzick, Joshua 2006, China's Africa Strategy. Current History 105,
691, 219-224.
25
Moumouni, Guillaume 2006, DOMESTIC TRANFORMATIONS AND CHANGE IN SINO-AFRICAN
RELATIONS. Paper Prepared for the Workshop “China-Africa Relations: Engaging the
11. These three examples, together with the observation that the sovereignty
argument is most heavily relied upon in countries that would be considered quasi
states 27 cast doubts about the sincerity of the argument. In Western media it is
generally described with words that let it appear as hypocrisy (example please).
Such a description comes with the supposition of dishonesty included. I would
therefore not like to go so far. But the doubts are in order, and the question
remains how long Beijing will continue to rely on the sovereignty argument.
Negative Issues: Angola received a 2 billion dollar reconstruction credit from
the Chinese Exim Bank, in turn an offshore oil contract was signed. 28 The
Angolan government is regarded as one of the worst by most observers and
China has been criticized over doing business with this government and
especially awarding it a low-interest loan with no transparency conditionalities.
Zimbabwe bought Chinese fighting jets for 120 million dollars, including pilot
training.29 Actually in Zimbabwe China doesn’t need any propaganda. It has the
support of Robert Mugabe and helps him to stay in office. This example is
worrisome. What will happen with Chinese-Zimbabwean ties, if the Zimbabwean
people finally come to overthrow him?
The competitive Chinese textile industry cost Africans jobs. This must be
explained and ideally compensated. China has acted along those lines.
Arms trade: How could China sell weapons to both Eritrea and Ethiopia when
those countries were at war with each other?30 Is there any political theory in
China that allows for such behavior?
International Discourse”, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, November 11-12,
2006.
26
Brookes, P. & Ji, H.S. 2006, China's Influence in Africa: Implications for the United States. The
Heritage Foundation, Backgrounder #1916.
27
See Taylor, Ian 2006, China's oil diplomacy in Africa. International Affairs 82, 5, 937- 959.
28
Grill, B. 2006, Die neuen Kolonialherren. Die Zeit 38/2006.
29
Ibid.
30
See: Shinn, D.H. 2005, China’s Approach to East, North and the Horn of Africa. Testimony
before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission ‘China’s Global Influence:
Objectives and Strategies’. July 21, 2005.
12. China has been helping the Sudanese regime in Khartoum in exchange for access
to Sudanese oil. China has heavy investments in the country, mostly in the oil
sector. 31 The defense of the regime against the international community that was
largely eager to intervene and stop the genocide in Darfur is a big blot on the
Chinese clean slate in Africa.
China’s interest in resources on the continent is generally negatively portrayed
and might need some defensive propaganda to be explained. Alden 2006 says
that the China Strategy, published by the Chinese Government in 2006 itself is a
part of the “battle” in public discourse over the Chinese involvement in Africa and
– never before had a similar paper been published – served to counter negative
impressions of China’s engagement. 32
4.3. Propaganda as part of a bigger strategy
From a decidedly hostile starting point, Donovan Chau offers the concept of
“political warfare” to understand what is happening on the continent as viewed
from the US and China, today’s “two great powers”. 33 Even though little benefit
can be expected from the fact of framing the engagement in terms of warfare
from the outset, the basic assumption that propaganda is only one tool in the
toolkit of foreign policy is certainly helpful. China has a whole set of different
foreign policy measures (as seen above, see also Fig. 2) and applies them in a
pragmatic way depending on local conditions.34
31
Shinn 2005.
32
Alden, Chris 2006, Through African Eyes: Representations of China on the African continent.
Paper presented at SciPo/Fudan/LSE conference October 2006.
33
Chau, Donovan C. 2007, Political warfare in Sub-Saharan Africa: U.S. capabilities and Chinese
operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. U.S. Strategic Studies Institute. Retrieved
on July 11, 2008 from http://www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/PUB766.pdf.
34
The call to counter Chinese influence on the continent by developing the US’s own “political
warfare capabilities” through engaging US NGOs and restructuring US AID into the leading
political warfare institution comes about in a rather clumsy way. Quote: “The free wheelchair,
given in the appropriate manner, rolls further than promises of aid and encouragement of
democracy.” Chau 2007, p. 55.
13. Figure 2: Select PRC “Political Warfare Organizations” in four African countries.
Source: Chau 2007, p. 53.
Talk is a part of relations, but action speaks louder than words. In Sino-African
contemporary (and historical) relations, there has been a lot of action, and if
there is propaganda, it is likely to simply complement the facts that already
speak for themselves. Chinese propaganda in Africa could work in the mode “do
good and talk about it”.
Chris Alden has anal yzed the perception of China in Africa. 35 His result: while
different discourses can be identified, such as “China as development partner”,
“China as competitor” and “China as hegemon”, the “discourse of fear” which
dominates Western media, appears to be absent. Whether this considerable
success for China is due, at least in part to skillful propaganda or mainly to hard
facts on the African ground is hard to determine from the distance.
4.4. The view from the outside
There is in fact a struggle of propaganda and counter-propaganda going on –
but in the Western media. The discourse could be called the “Good Western
Democracies against Evil Undemocratic China”. This discourse is mainly
35
Alden, Chris 2006, Through African Eyes: Representations of China on the African continent.
Paper presented at SciPo/Fudan/LSE conference October 2006.
14. represented in European and US public media 36 , as well as in academic
publications37. This is countered by a Chinese discourse of “China helps third -
world brothers to develop without Western intromission”, likewise spread over
public media 38 as well as scientific publications 39 . While looking at Beijing’s
actions in Africa and their downsides, many but not all Western commentators
fail to look at the history of European and US American involvement on the
continent. That makes for a very weak position from which to criticize Beijing
and suggest a change of its approach. Two possible conclusions could be drawn:
firstly, comparing it with other countries’ shortcomings, we could excuse Beijing’s
negative influence as “common practice”, secondly, we could stick to absolute
moral standards and insist on changing Western as well as Chinese practice. The
latter is clearly the more constructive alternative that should lead us forward in
many regards. The possibility that China in some regards might be a better
match for Africans than the West does not seem to be very popular among
Western authors. But it must be earnestly considered if we want to get a
balanced picture.
Propaganda in China about Africa, meaning the other side of Sino-African
relations is also a whole different story. As we have seen, propaganda is an
integral part of Chinese communication policy, and the friendly relations with
Africa are no exception. Furthermore, it is a declared goal of the Chinese
government to encourage Chinese businesses to invest in Africa. Plus, it seems
that propaganda to the Chinese people about Africa is needed, since the Anti -
African student protests in Nanjing in the winter 1988/89 showed that the
friendship and understanding celebrated at the diplomatic level might not
naturally generalize to the wider population. 40 Propaganda can help.
36
E.g. Grill, B. 2006, Die neuen Kolonialherren. Die Zeit 38/2006.
37
E.g. Eisenman & Kurlantzick 2006.
38
E.g. Chinese Embassy in the USA 2006, China giving Africa better return than West:
commentary. Available at http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t263764.htm.
39
E.g. He, Wenping 2007, The Balancing Act of China’s Africa Policy. China Security 3, 3, 23-40.
40
The contact hypothesis by Allport 1954, one of the well-known theories in social psychology
says that inter-group stereotypes will be reduced through simple contact if certain preconditions
15. 5. Conclusions and Outlook
I have tried to show whether the Chinese government does propaganda in Africa,
without success. There are individual instances that could be considered
propaganda, but the existence of a general propaganda strategy could not be
established. However I hope to have shown where and how Chinese propaganda
in Africa is likely to appear.
The art of propaganda is to take a negative situation that warrants a defensive
communication approach and turn it into an asset through discourse, switching
to offensive mode. With purely defensive propaganda, from the very mode of
communication, inferences can be drawn about the underlying situation. If the
mode is defensive, then there must be something to be defensive about in the
first place. In the above examples, the C hinese government sometimes stayed in
defensive mode (as in the discussion about arms trade) and sometimes switched
to offensive mode (as in the discussion about sovereignty). Through good
propaganda, the perception of situations may change a lot, but the underlying
“facts” that are independent of perception do not change. Therefore
accomplishing the switch from defensive to offensive discourse, or “selling” a
negative situation may be a good strategy in the short term, but can backfire in
the long term, especially if the switch to a more positive view does not yield the
expected positive results. This may well happen to Africans who welcome
Chinese investment and un-conditionality today and see them as dignifying Africa,
only to find out in the long term that the support for autocratic regimes is a
curse. Of course, this depends upon Beijing’s further actions as well. If the
Chinese Africa policy is modified and adapted as time progresses (“groping the
rocks to cross the river”), then China may well find ways to lessen the negative
impact of its policies.
are met. An equal standing of the two groups is one of them. This was not the case for the
African students, because they received preferential treatment.
16. The propaganda demanded by leading Chinese scholar He Wenping seems well
in line with my conclusion:
“? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ,
“? ? ? ? ”? ? ? ? ? ? ? , ? “? ? ? ? ”? “? ? ? ? ”? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? , ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ”41
Translation: “In some internationally “hot” topics we should actively propagandize our
policy position and our work and contribution, the old saying “Silence is golden” is
indeed precious, but “Both doing and saying” and “Saying while doing” should also be
flexibly applied. Otherwise the public opinion front may be conquered by someone else.”
Propaganda, by definition lives in the realm of words only. It is a weak tool,
when it stands alone. But when complemented with deeds, it comes to life. If we
try to artificially separate action and words – and if only for the sake of analysis -
it is difficult to establish their inter action and dynamics. Saying is believing, and
acting on your beliefs includes the possibility of a self-fulfilling prophecy. The
image that China is projecting in Africa is that of a peaceful partner that helps
their African brothers develop their countries. If this prophecy could fulfill itsel f
more and more, that would be a big step forward.
41
? ? ? 2008, ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? - ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? . ? ? ? ? 2008 ? ? 3 ? 26-31.