Journalistic construction of congruence: Chinese media’s representation of common but differentiated responsibilities in environmental protection

Abstract

This research clarifies China’s mediated international communication of its responsibility in environmental protection under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. The topic is explored within the context of China’s media ‘going global’ project, a key initiative of its soft power projection. Gauged by the notion of cultural and political congruence, this study also compares China’s journalistic discourse with those in the United States and the United Kingdom. This study found that Chinese mainstream media achieved a certain degree of congruence in media representations of China’s responsibility with its Western counterparts. Chinese media constructed the notion of responsibility in a mixed manner: they differentiated the target of blame and existing treatment measures between China and other countries or institutions but gave more exposure to China’s future obligations and duties. American and British media applied nearly identical coverage patterns in reporting China’s and others’ existing and future treatment but showed opposite patterns in covering the target of blame in environmental and climate issues. This article contributes to the study of China’s journalism practice in international communication. It also offers suggestions to the resolution of the stalemate in global environmental negotiations and China’s media ‘going global’ initiative.