On The Mass Media Factors In Foreign Affairs

As a form of information dissemination, mass media is the most popular way ofinformation acquisition in the world and enjoys numerous features, such as fast speed,wide range and profound influence. In the21st century, traditional media forms ofTVs, newspapers, broadcasting and magazines and new media platforms of mobilephones and networks are mingling with each other and becoming a globalcommunication network of information explosion. Under this background, functionsof mass media have been further extended, and mass media are playing an importantrole in foreign affairs.Mass media are behaving as an organ of the government, a platform for eliteopinion expressers and the public to discuss foreign affairs, a tool to shape thenational image and to export cultures and effective weapons to defeat hostile nations.With the theme of peace and development, the domestic media in China are effectivetools to publicize foreign policies and to promote Chinese images; while the rightwing media overseas exert rather negative effects on Chinese foreign relations bydemonizing China. In the era of new media, it is significant to study how to furtherstrengthencapabilities of international communication, hold discourse right andfacilitate Chinese foreign diplomacy.