Journalists’ intercultural competence: Framework construction and scale adaptation in the Chinese context

Abstract

This study investigates journalists’ intercultural competence by developing both a theoretical framework and a measurement scale. Given the increasing importance of intercultural journalism, journalists are expected to demonstrate stronger intercultural competence. Study 1 conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 Chinese journalists to identify key dimensions of journalists’ intercultural competence and construct a model of journalists’ intercultural competence (MJIC). Study 2 drew on the MJIC to establish and validate a measurement scale, using survey data collected from 1000 Chinese journalists. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-dimensional, twelve-item scale consisting of intercultural attitudes and knowledge, intercultural behaviours, and intercultural journalism ability. A content analysis of international news reports was conducted to triangulate journalists’ actual performance. Regression and ANOVA analyses were further employed to examine how journalists’ demographics and professional characteristics influenced their intercultural competence. The MJIC framework and scale extend existing research by incorporating journalism-specific professional capacities and providing a practical tool for intercultural journalism practices.