Two International Propaganda Models: Comparing RT and CGTN’s 2020 US Election Coverage

TY - JOUR

T1 - Two International Propaganda Models

T2 - Comparing RT and CGTN’s 2020 US Election Coverage

AU - Moore, Martin

AU - Colley, Thomas

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

PY - 2022/6/13

Y1 - 2022/6/13

N2 - Recent transformations in the media and communications environment have prompted states to invest heavily in external communications to pursue inter-state competition. Among authoritarian countries, Russia and China have invested particularly heavily in international news, through outlets like RT and CGTN. However, few comparative studies have examined the differences between authoritarian states’ use of international news for geopolitical purposes. This article conducts a comparative, mixed-method, multi-platform content analysis of RT and CGTN’s 2020 US election coverage. Based on multiple differences between the outlets’ content, it argues that they adopt two distinct international propaganda models. RT operates a “partisan parasite” model, imitating a partisan outlet in the US’ media ecology, while CGTN employs a “surface neutrality” model, which cloaks pro-China propaganda with a superficial impression of impartiality. Explicating these models using original empirical evidence, the paper advances theory on the evolving use of international news media as a geopolitical tool.

AB - Recent transformations in the media and communications environment have prompted states to invest heavily in external communications to pursue inter-state competition. Among authoritarian countries, Russia and China have invested particularly heavily in international news, through outlets like RT and CGTN. However, few comparative studies have examined the differences between authoritarian states’ use of international news for geopolitical purposes. This article conducts a comparative, mixed-method, multi-platform content analysis of RT and CGTN’s 2020 US election coverage. Based on multiple differences between the outlets’ content, it argues that they adopt two distinct international propaganda models. RT operates a “partisan parasite” model, imitating a partisan outlet in the US’ media ecology, while CGTN employs a “surface neutrality” model, which cloaks pro-China propaganda with a superficial impression of impartiality. Explicating these models using original empirical evidence, the paper advances theory on the evolving use of international news media as a geopolitical tool.

KW - CGTN

KW - China

KW - election

KW - propaganda

KW - RT

KW - Russia

KW - social media

KW - United States

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85131797477&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/17512786.2022.2086157

DO - 10.1080/17512786.2022.2086157

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85131797477

SN - 1751-2786

JO - Journalism Practice

JF - Journalism Practice

ER -