Framing is an incredibly powerful tool for the media. The media has the ability to directly persuade or influence audiences by selecting and highlighting some facets of events or issues, and making connections among them so as to promote a particular interpretation. Framing can also be associated with agenda-setting. Not only do media companies tell people what issues to think about, but also how to think about them.
Regarding the incident between China and South Korea on October 10, 2014, I’ve tried to frame the statement below as impartially as I can:
Clashes between Chinese fishermen and South Korean coast guards are not unusual and have strained relations between the two countries in the past. A South Korean officer was stabbed to death by a Chinese fisherman in 2011, and a year later, a Chinese fisherman died from injuries in a confrontation with the coastguard again. A few weeks ago on October 10, 2014, another unfortunate incident took place as South Korea’s coast guard shot and killed a Chinese fisherman after officials say he resisted arrest while fishing illegally in South Korean waters.
The New York Times also took into account the notion of objectivity when they titled the story as “Fisherman From China Dies in Clash Off S. Korea.” But other sources have been a bit more biased in framing their headlines. For example, Andrew Shen of The Business Insider titled his story “Here’s The Real Reason Why Chinese Fishermen Keep Invading Korean Waters”. It takes an approach that puts Chinese fisherman in a negative light. Here are some excerpts from the article:
- “Many Koreans have labeled the Chinese “pirates” now, saying they are not fishermen.”
- “Japan has agreed to join hands with Korea to combat illegal fishing by the Chinese…”
On the flip side, here’s an article titled “Chinese fisherman killed in South Korean coastguard raid” by Reuters.This particular article has been slightly framed in a way to show the fault being on the South Koreans. Here are some of the quotes from the article:
- “Korean coastguard officers fired eight bullets when they raided the boat in the Yellow Sea.”
- “Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the government was “shocked” and “extremely dissatisfied” at what had happened and had lodged a formal protest.”
- “We demand that South Korea immediately carry out an earnest and thorough investigation and severely punish the person responsible, and report to China in a timely manner the result of the probe,”
- “South Korea’s foreign ministry notified China and offered condolences to the fisherman’s family, a ministry official said.”
Framing paints over a complex reality. It shapes our reactions and beliefs through the messages that are sent out, often perpetuating negative stereotypes and discrimination. The media has a tendency to demonize, reducing complex events and people to “good guys” and “bad guys.” Forcing facts to fit a preconceived frame is a huge threat to fairness and balance, and the media should take this into account by choosing their words more objectively.
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