A Media Report Study On Controversial Issues Of Science And Technology From The Perspective Of The Framing Theory

This dissertation studies contemporary China’s controversial issues of science and technology media report(in the case of Genetically Modified (GM) issues) from the perspective of the framing theory, with a focus on comparison of frames of People’s Daily and Chinese Science News(previously named Science Times) by conducting content analysis of news report on GM issues from2003to2013. Framing theory and issue-attention cycle theory are employed to make a comparison of frames on GM issue communication by two media from2003to2013. The conclusions are:Firstly, there are similarities in GM issue communication frames of two media. Most frames employed to construct the issues is fact frames, which also includes consequence framework and conflict framework, and most news report are conveyed from science and technology aspect, with less from social life and ethical aspect.Secondly, there are also dissimilarities in GM issue communication frames of two media.In addition to the comparison of GM issue communication frames of two media in general, the dissertation has also incorporated a case study on the news report of Golden Rice Event from2012to2013. The qualitative analysis has been conducted of two media from the aspects of communication perspective, title, news text elements and the presence of media anomie.This dissertation defines the controversial issues of science and technology, which viewed as the new hot spot in science communication activities, and introduces data comparison of frame construction for the controversial issues of science and technology between the mainstream official media and authoritative, professional media.Finally, based on the results concluded from analysis, and refer to the public cognition and attitude towards GM food concluded from The survey report on Chinese public cognition and attitude of GM corn and food in2012, suggestion on enhancement of communication on controversial issues of science and technology is put forward from the aspect of communicators, communication skills and strategy, quality of communication context and the increase of enjoyment. Meanwhile, the tendency of mainstream official media and authoritative, professional media on the above issues with the background of media convergence is foreseen.