Framing Chinese migrant workers: A comparison of media coverage in Mainland China and Hong Kong

This study investigates the framing of Chinese migrant workers in articles published in two Mainland Chinese newspapers and two Hong Kong newspapers from 2004 to 2009. The content analysis reveals significant differences in the news frames between the two regions. Attribution of responsibility and morality are the most frequently used frames in Mainland newspapers, while human interest and responsibility frames dominate coverage in Hong Kong newspapers. Government officials are the most popular sources cited by the four newspapers, followed by migrant workers. Media in both regions portray this issue with a fairly neutral tone but have different attitudes towards the Chinese central government. Mainland news articles show a positive attitude, while Hong Kong journalists hold a neutral stance. The usage of frames, sources, and tone have changed over the six year period examined. Possible explanations and implications of the differences in framing among Mainland and Hong Kong newspapers are discussed.