How Influential Are Chinese Media in Africa? An Audience Analysis in Kenya and South Africa

Herman Wasserman*, Dani Madrid-Morales*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

689 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

The increased presence of Chinese media in Africa has been the focus of much debate since the early 2010s. Discussions tend to revolve around issues of production and content, providing little evidence on the way audiences decode media messages aimed at extending China's "soft power." This article uses data from seven focus groups with media and communication university students in Kenya and South Africa to explore the efficacy of Chinese-mediated public diplomacy. We show that Chinese media have little impact on students' information habits, demonstrate that attitudes toward China are predominantly negative, and argue that this stereotyping affects opinions about Chinese media. We also suggest that some students' favored news values overlap with those associated with Chinese media. This may indicate a potential affinity between the journalistic practice of Chinese media in Africa and that of future Kenyan and South African media professionals, which could increase the chances of China's media engagements having an impact in the long term.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2212-2231
JournalInternational Journal of Communication
Volume12
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Bibliographical note

Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).

Research Keywords

  • CCTV
  • CGTN
  • Chinese media
  • Africa
  • audience
  • focus groups
  • journalism
  • PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
  • JOURNALISM
  • EBOLA

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • This full text is made available under CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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