Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have long since declared their political independence from western powers, yet arguably they still stand in the long shadow of western media and culture. Recently though, the group has been taking more assertive steps to make ASEAN more cohesive and relevant in global affairs. ASEAN has several important trading partners, including the US. How is the association portrayed in US newspapers? Does the group’s coverage differ from that of its individual member states? And what bearing can such international media portrayals have on the institution’s identity? This study explores the treatment of ASEAN and its individual member states in The New York Times. A content analysis methodology is utilized to examine the variables of visibility and valence. Across time comparisons are made between ASEAN and its member states in terms of the total number of stories, media frames used and news categories present. Relationships between news coverage, framing and foreign policy concerns are also examined as advised by current understanding of framing and agenda-setting research.
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