CNN Report To China And China 's National Image Construction

National image is one of a hot issue in recent years. As animportant channel for the construction of national image, theimportance of mass media began to reveal in international relations.With the development of information technology, more and morecountries begin to pay attention to the role of media in national imageconstruction. With its developed communication system, CNN hasbeen in the overwhelming dominance in the global media system andit has become the most important media in influencing therecognition of the exterior world and shaping the national image ofother countries.China’s national image experienced the following two stages.Before2008, most of the reports focused on the negative images. Fora long time, because of factors of ideology and value, many westernmedias have had discriminations on China, especially in politicalfiled, China was often portrayed unfavorably in the Western media.While after2008, China’s national image was changing, for China,this year was full of opportunities and challenges, comprehensivestrength of China has been enhanced greatly. But its national imagewas faced with new challenges.The paper bases on CNN’s reports about China in recent fiveyears. Through a series of quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis,case study and so on, and combined with trans-disciplines study ofinternational relations and Communication Research, the paperfocuses on the content of CNN’s reports about China and it’stendency, report strategy so as to study the relationship between thereports about China of the western media and China’s national image. CNN is one of the most important media in shaping China’snational image. Many Chinese media has been critical about whatCNN called subjective reporting, distortion of facts and demonisingof China. While, there are also some reports observing the code ofjournalistic ethics and principles, which show appreciation of China’sculture and economy, therefore China’s national image becamecomplex and diversity.Through research of the reports of CNN and report strategy, thepaper hopes to provide reference for western media and China’snational image, and explores a better way of forming the image ofChina.