South Africa and China as BRICS partners: media perspectives on geopolitical shifts

Herman WassermanRhodes University, South Africa

Outline

• SA in BRICS – closer relationship• Mediation of geopolitical shifts• Interpenetration of media presence • SA coverage of China• China coverage of SA• Conclusion

SA & China in BRICS

• SA joining BRICS in 2010 on invitation from China heralds new partnership • Emerging from isolated pariah to regional power• SA’s status as a BRICS country contested – much

smaller economy than other partners, inequality• Criticism of BRICS as no more than ‘catchy

acronym’ (Bremmer in NYT)• BRICS might compete rather than collaborate • Opposition to status quo rather than coherent

team

Geopolitical shifts are mediated• In these geopolitical shifts – media a key

player• Media among flow and counterflow of capital• Media represent these countries to each other• Media a proxy for negotiation of key values: ‘Debates about media are debates about democracy’

Interpenetration of media• China’s use of media for

‘soft power’ in Africa:– CCTV based in Nairobi– Xinhua used widely by African

media, also on mobile– China Daily publishes African

edition from Johannesburg– Exchange visits and training

for journalists– Infrastructure development

for African media

http://martinplaut.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/chinas-soft-power-offensive-in-africa/

Interpenetration of media

• ‘The rise of ChinAfrica’ – Chinese investment supports economic boom on continent • African media

company Naspers ‘rides big Chinese wave’ through Tencent

Image of China in SA media • Started with cautious attitude• Analysis of coverage over last 3 years shows

balanced view of China emerging, becoming more positive

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

• China firm place on news agenda • Strong economic focus, little social coverage• Economic interest supersedes political issues

SA coverage of China

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

SA coverage of China

Water sports

International politics

Mergers/co-operations

Perceptions of companies

Companies' market position

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

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

Products Foreign policy

CultureAccidents

EnergyNon political crime

EnvironmentInternational politics

International tradeEconomic situation

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Volume

Number of reports

Chinese coverage of SA

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

Conclusion

• SA-China - mediated relationship• Media an actor in growing relationship• Image of China in SA media becoming more

positive; Concerns about SA in Chinese media• Mostly economic and political coverage• BRICS economic category – will media help

make it social and cultural category as well?

Thank you

• [email protected]• See CFP for special issue of Ecquid Novi:

African Journalism Studies on China in Africa (2013)