Research On Reports And Image Of Homosexuals On The Xinhuanet

As a marginal population, homosexuals come within the public range of vision. During recent years, media have paid close attention to homosexuals and the relevant reports have multiplied. Therefore, it is necessary to study the reports on homosexuals and the image reappearance of homosexuals of the reports.This study uses the agenda-setting theory, frame analysis and the stereotype theory to analyze the content of homosexuals' reports on the Xinhuanet from 2002 to 2008. This study attempts to show the state of homosexuals' reports and the image reappearance of homosexuals, and answer the questions whether the Xinhuanet follows the principle of objective and equity. This study also attempts to find if there is any stereotype towards homosexuals.The study findings show that there are some bad tendencies on the repots of homosexuals on the Xinhuanet, such as topic tendency, deficiency of rights and benefits, reports sensationalism, giving prominence to the advice of heterosexuals, making up content and discriminate hints. The study findings also show that there are some questions about the image reappearance of homosexuals' reports, such as two stereotypes of homosexuals: homosexuals are criminals and homosexuals are AIDS patients. There are also imbalances in the occupation and the sex.This study makes a preliminary research on the relative factors that influence the reports and the image of homosexuals on the Xinhuanet: the factor of culture, the studies of educational circles, the mass culture and the media computing commercialized. This study also makes some suggestions on the practical news reporting.