COVID-19 news in China and the UK: a corpus-based Critical Discourse Analysis of China Daily and The Times

Abstract

This study compares the coverage of the covid-19 pandemic in two daily national newspapers published in China and the UK: China Daily and The Times. Taking a corpus-based approach to Critical Discourse Analysis, we identify significant differences that reflect the distinct cultural, socio-political, and institutional contexts in which these newspapers operate. The Times is found to focus on the impacts of the pandemic on ordinary people, as well as their dissatisfaction with the UK government's handling of the crisis, employing direct quotes both from ordinary citizens and scientific experts (e.g., to critique governmental responses). Conversely, China Daily foregrounds, and positively appraises, the leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party of China, focussing on their efforts in managing the health-related and economic impacts of the pandemic. This newspaper also highlights China's role in domestic and international covid-19 responses, as well as its support for global economic recovery, particularly in Africa. China Daily also negatively portrays the United States’ response to the pandemic – reflecting the newspaper's broader critical stance towards capitalism and the US in particular. The findings thus demonstrate the influence of cultural, socio-political and institutional factors on media representations of public health issues.