Two-Sided Narration and In-Group Narrator: Examining the Effects of Different Strategies of Mediated Public Diplomacy

Authors

  • Tianru Guan School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University
  • Yue Yin School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University
  • Yilu Yang School of New Media and Communication, Tianjin university

Keywords:

mediated public diplomacy, two-sided information, intergroup perspective, China-U.S. relations

Abstract

With the COVID-19 pandemic reducing multilateral cooperation and acting as a multiplier of “decoupling” major-power relations, the potential of public diplomacy for rebuilding trust has been highlighted. The present study examines the effects of different strategies for improving international attitudes with perceived credibility as a mediator. Using China-U.S. relations as case study, a 2 × 2 between-subject factorial design (N = 425) crossed-narration perspective (one-sided vs. two-sided information) with narrator identity (in-group vs. out-group of targeted audiences). Results indicated when American participants were exposed to China-related media content that (a) told stories from both positive and negative perspectives or (b) was produced by in-group members, they perceived the information as having high credibility and showed significant positive attitude increases. However, combining two strategies did not bring additive effects. The findings illustrate that two-sided narration and in-group narrator are effective approaches to mediated public diplomacy. Implications for public diplomacy research and practices in the post-pandemic epoch are discussed.

Author Biographies

Tianru Guan, School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University

Tianru Guan is Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University. She has received her PhD at University of Melbourne. Her research interests include political communication, public sphere, and political psychology. Her research has appeared in journals such as Media, Culture and Society, Comunica, The Information Society, International Political Science Review, and Journal of Contemporary China.

Yue Yin, School of Journalism and Communication, Wuhan University

Yue Yin is a graduate student at the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University. His research interest lies in communication studies.

Yilu Yang, School of New Media and Communication, Tianjin university

Yilu Yang is an Associate Professor at the School of New Media and Communication, Tianjin University. She has received her PhD at University of Melbourne. Her current research interest lies in intergroup communication and international communication. At the same time, she has pursued her research interests in socio-political aspects of international immigrants. Her recent research has appeared in Social Science Quarterly, International Political Science Review, Asia Pacific Education Review and Political Studies Review.

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Published

2023-12-16

Issue

Vol. 18 (2024)

Section

Articles

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