Herman Wasserman. * Look at SA in relation to other BRICS countries, as mediated in news media * South Africa a recent entrant to BRICS club of emerging.

Herman Wasserman

* China in Africa: Another BRIC in the wall?

*China in Africa

*Look at SA in relation to other BRICS countries, as mediated in news media

*South Africa a recent entrant to BRICS club of emerging nations – renewed media focus on relationship with other BRICS nations

*Among these – China one of most contentious partners, receives much media attention

*‘The Rise of ChinAfrica’ –’one of the most striking developments of 21st century geopolitics’ and ‘one of reasons why Africa’s economy one of fast-growing regions’

*China in Africa*Renewed interest in Africa since 1990s – economic growth requires new sources of energy and resources

*Steep rise in trade: 10-fold increase 2000-2010. Continent’s biggest trading partner.

*Concern about labour practices, support for undemocratic regimes, impact on local industry

*But also fewer strings attached to aid – non-interference in domestic policies

*Africa historically ‘a horse – Western brutal rider, beating the horse, Chinese rider gives carrots’

*Questions asked in media : new type of imperialism? ‘Scramble for Africa’? ‘Partner or predator’?

*South Africa: China*During apartheid China supported liberation

movements

*Formal relationship initiated shortly after democratic transition

*China now top exporter to and importer from SA

*China’s invitation to SA in 2010 to join BRIC formation - confirmation of growing political-economic ties

*Part of larger geopolitical shifts and changing geography of international relations

*But involvement not unequivocally welcomed.

*How South African media reports on China - volume and tone and in relation to other BRIC countries, over 3 years

*Controversial relationship

*Literature in West: China in Africa portrayed in binary terms: ‘predator or partner’; ‘friend or foe’; ‘comrade or colonizer’

*Orientalist Stereotypes (‘yellow peril’, ‘Fu Manchu’)

*Western powers fear undermining of ‘good governance’ agenda

*Paul Zeleza:

*Western commentary ‘hysterical and hypocritical’, decrying China’s growing involvement

*Bemoaning loss of Euro-American hegemony

*Frames: Imperialism, globalization, solidarity

*How does this play out in South African media?

*Questions

*Was the coverage of China in the South African media predominantly positive or negative in the period 2009-2012?

*How did coverage of China change during the period, compared with a similar previous study (De Beer & Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009 which found reporting not overly negative?

*How does coverage of China compare to coverage of other BRIC countries?

*Analysis of major mainstream media (TV news, newspapers, radio stations) – MT data: 2010-2011, follow up with new data 2012

*Findings

Research question 1: Was the coverage of China in the South African media predominantly positive or negative in the period 2010-2011?

*Findings

*Research question 1: Was the coverage of China in the South African media predominantly positive or negative in the period 2010-2011?

*China newsworthy in general news as well as in business news

*Coverage in outlets with highest volume – fairly balanced

*Even after announcement of accession to BRICS – majority neutral statements in top outlets

*Findings

Research Question 2: How did coverage of China during the 2010-2011 period compare with a similar previous study (De Beer & Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009?

*Findings*Research Question 2: How did coverage of China during the 2010-2011 period compare with a similar previous study (De Beer & Schreiner 2009) conducted in 2009?*Continuation of trend of cautious optimism at start

*Then dip – attributed to natural disasters (earthquake, flooding)

*Disasters still dominate foreign news values

*Negative news topics but not necessarily negative attitude

*FindingsResearch Question 3: How does coverage of China compare to coverage of other BRIC countries?

*Findings

*China topped volume of coverage in 2010 – double of India

*Brazil and Russia fell far short

*India and China together still leading in 2011

*‘Chindia’ emerging as a focal point for SA media

*Statements not overwhelmingly negative or positive – overall balanced picture

*Preliminary conclusion*Contra literature – not binary

representation

*Last 3 years (including previous study): balanced view of China emerging

*Cautiously optimistic attitude in mainstream media – not pigeonholed as ‘good’ or ‘bad’ story

*China firm place on news agenda – likely to stay there

*But….

*New observations

Russia

Brazil

India

China

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

SA's profile in BRIC media: Jan 2011 - Mar 2012

Negative Neutral Positive

*New observations

2009 2010 2011 Jan - Mar 2012-40%

-30%

-20%

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

Ratings of SA media coverage on BRIC countries over time

Russia Brazil China India

2009 2010 2011 Jan - Mar 20120

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

Volume of SA media coverage on BRIC countries over time

Russia Brazil China India

*New observations

Water sports

Accidents

International politics

Products

Mergers/co-operations

Procurement of capital

Perceptions of companies

Executives/management

Companies' market position

Economic situation

0 20 40 60 80 100120140160180200

Volume

Number of reports

Water sports

Accidents

International politics

Products

Mergers/co-operations

Procurement of capital

Perceptions of companies

Executives/management

Companies' market position

Economic situation

0% 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Ratings

Negative Neutral Positive

*New observations

2009

2010

2011

2012

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

600

800

-100%

-80%

-60%

-40%

-20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Volume and ratings of coverage on SA by Chinese media

Number of reports Ratings

*New observations

2009 2010 2011 20120

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Volume of coverage on SA by BRIC media over time

Russia Brazil China India

2009 2010 2011 2012-50%-40%-30%-20%-10%

0%10%20%30%40%50%

Ratings of coverage on SA by BRIC media over time

Russia Brazil China India

Products

Foreign policy

Culture

Accidents

Energy

Non political crime

Environment

International politics

International trade

Economic situation

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Volume

Number of reports

*New observations

Products

Foreign policy

Culture

Accidents

Energy

Non political crime

Environment

International politics

International trade

Economic situation

0% 10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Ratings

Negative Neutral Positive

*New observations*Negative coverage on China further decreased

*China remains in strong focus

*Strong economic focus, little social coverage

*Product quality not an issue

*Chinese media on SA less positive due to crime and accidents

* Favourable reporting on foreign policy and international trade

*Economy dominating coverage, little social focus

*Conclusion• Picture of China in SA media not as

negative as would have expected from literature

• Improving over last years

• Economic opportunities offered by China received most attention

• Suggest SA media largely business-oriented in its coverage of BRICS

relationships

• Economic interest supersedes political interest

*Thank you