Communication ETDs

Hengjun Lin

Publication Date

7-1-2014

Abstract

Tobacco poses one of the most dire public health threats globally. Whereas tobacco control policies and public education in developed countries reduced tobacco consumption in the West, China, as other developing countries, is targeted by the tobacco companies marketing efforts and is facing increasing rates of tobacco consumption. Previous studies in the western countries pointed at the importance of news coverage of tobacco-related issues on public opinion and agenda setting, but the role of government-controlled newspapers in China was not previously examined. In view of the potential conflict between public health and the importance of local tobacco production to the Chinese economy, its government might have conflicting interests in coverage of the topic. However, previous research did not examine coverage of tobacco-related issues in government-controlled media. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent and nature of tobacco-related coverage in the People's Daily, a government-controlled newspaper. The need for this study is grounded in the importance of understanding to what degree this government-controlled newspaper advance the government's tobacco-related policies. Methods include quantitative content analysis of news published online.

Language

English

Keywords

Health communication, China, media advocacy, tobacco-related coverage

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Communication

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Communication and Journalism

First Committee Member (Chair)

White, Judith

Second Committee Member

Shields, Julie

Third Committee Member

Bentley, Joshua

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