Assessing PRC Media Framing and Narratives in Arabic-Language Media Environments
Assessing PRC Media Framing and Narratives in Arabic-Language Media Environments

Author(s): Egle Klekere, Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova, Christina Cheng
Contributor(s): Hadley Newman (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics, Media studies, Applied Linguistics, Communication studies, Security and defense
Published by: NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence
Keywords: China; Arabic-Language Media; Media Framing; Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI); Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); Strategic Communication;
Summary/Abstract: Recent research and policy attention to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) activities has highlighted the need to understand how PRC media disseminate narratives globally. In Arabic-speaking regions, the PRC has expanded cooperation with media institutions since 2022, with the stated aim of shaping public opinion, strengthening legitimacy, and contesting Western narratives. While scholarly attention has increasingly shifted toward social media ecosystems, traditional media remain a central channel for PRC narrative projection. This study addresses two research questions. First, what influence objectives are reflected in PRC Arabic-language media, and what intended effects do these narratives seek to achieve in Arabic-speaking regions? Second, is the PRC media effective in achieving its intended aims as reflected in the media content, and, if yes, which PRC media narratives gain traction via local media outlets and which don’t?

• Details
• Contents