Framing the high seas: A qualitative study of national media narratives in China and the Philippines (2024) — a rhetorical perspective on war and peace journalism
Date of Publication
2025
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Communication Major in Applied Media Studies
Subject Categories
Film and Media Studies
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department/Unit
Communication
Thesis Advisor
Ruepert Jiel D. Cao
Defense Panel Chair
Katrina B. Alvarez
Defense Panel Member
Gerardo A. Mariano
Abstract (English)
The dramatic escalation of the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) dispute in 2024 marks the most volatile phase of this geopolitical flashpoint in the last decade. While physical maritime confrontations have garnered global attention, there remains a paucity of qualitative scrutiny regarding how state media, as extensions of national will, discursively construct the "reality" of this conflict. Moving beyond traditional quantitative metrics, this study integrates Entman’s framing theory with Galtung’s War/Peace Journalism paradigm to conduct a comparative rhetorical analysis of narratives from Xinhua News Agency and the Philippine News Agency (PNA) across 11 critical incidents in 2024.
The findings reveal that both state apparatuses have constructed mutually incompatible "parallel realities." Xinhua legitimizes Chinese actions through frames of "normative law enforcement" and "historical sovereignty," depicting the Philippines as a provocateur manipulated by external forces. Conversely, the PNA captures the moral high ground through "victim-resistance" frames, emphasizing adherence to international law in an asymmetric struggle. The analysis further elucidates that "War Journalism" has solidified into a structural logic for both nations, characterized by the systematic demonization of the other, the monopolization of elite voices, and the weaponization of peace discourse (i.e., "conditional peace"). This
"discursive chasm," engineered by state media, does not merely reflect geopolitical tensions but actively catalyzes them. By obscuring the humanitarian costs of the dispute, these solidified narratives systematically erode the space for "Peace Journalism" based on empathy and dialogue, thereby creating profound cognitive barriers to diplomatic de-escalation and regional stability.
Keywords: South China Sea Dispute; War and Peace Journalism; Framing Theory; Media Narratives
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ang dramatikong paglala ng sigalot sa South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) noong 2024 ay nagmamarka ng pinakamasalimuot at pinakamatinding yugto ng isyung ito sa nakalipas na isang dekada. Bagama’t nakatuon ang pandaigdigang pansin sa mga pisikal na komprontasyong pandagat, nananatiling limitado ang mga kwalitatibong pag-aaral hinggil sa kung paano binubuo ng midyang-estado—bilang pagpapalawig ng pambansang kapasyahan—ang diskursibong “realidad” ng naturang tunggalian. Higit pa sa tradisyunal na mga kantitatibong panukat, pinagsasama ng pag-aaral na ito ang framing theory ni Entman at ang War/Peace Journalism paradigm ni Galtung upang magsagawa ng komparatibong retorikal na pagsusuri sa mga naratibo ng Xinhua News Agency at Philippine News Agency (PNA) batay sa 11 mahahalagang insidente noong 2024.
Ipinapakita ng mga resulta na ang dalawang aparatong pang-estado ay lumilikha ng magkasalungat at hindi magkatugmang mga “parallel realities.” Pinapangatwiranan ng Xinhua ang mga aksyon ng China sa pamamagitan ng mga balangkas ng normatibong pagpapatupad ng batas at makasaysayang soberanya, kung saan inilalarawan ang Pilipinas bilang isang probokador na minamanipula ng mga panlabas na puwersa. Sa kabilang banda, inaangkin ng PNA ang moral na mataas na posisyon sa pamamagitan ng mga balangkas ng biktima-paglaban, na binibigyang-diin ang pagsunod sa pandaigdigang batas sa isang hindi pantay na tunggalian. Ipinapakita rin ng pagsusuri na ang War Journalism ay tumibay bilang estruktural na lohika sa dalawang bansa, na nailalarawan ng sistematikong demonisasyon ng kabilang panig, monopolyo ng mga elitistang tinig, at paggamit ng diskurso ng kapayapaan bilang sandata (ibig sabihin, conditional peace).
Ang “diskursibong bangin” na ito, na binuo ng midyang-estado, ay hindi lamang sumasalamin sa umiiral na tensiyong heopolitikal kundi aktibong nagpapalala rin nito. Sa pamamagitan ng pagtatabing sa makataong pinsala ng sigalot, unti-unting sinisira ng mga matitibay na naratibong ito ang espasyo para sa Peace Journalism na nakabatay sa empatiya at dayalogo, at lumilikha ng malalalim na hadlang sa kognisyon para sa diplomasya, de-eskalasyon, at katatagan ng rehiyon.
Mga Susing Salita: Sigalot sa South China Sea; War at Peace Journalism; Framing Theory; Mga Naratibo ng Midya
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Journalism--Philippines; Journalism--China; Mass media and international relations; South China Sea
Recommended Citation
Qin, Y. (2025). Framing the high seas: A qualitative study of national media narratives in China and the Philippines (2024) — a rhetorical perspective on war and peace journalism. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdm_comm/20
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Embargo Period
12-14-2025
