National Interest Frames and Public Opinion about World Affairs

Abstract

This study used an experiment to examine whether—and if so, how—national interest frames in media coverage influence public opinion about world affairs. Compared to participants in a control condition, those who read a news article framing China as a competitor to the United States held less favorable opinions regarding China. In contrast, participants who read an article about common Chinese and American interests held particularly favorable opinions regarding China. Compared to baseline participants, those who read about common Russian and American interests held more favorable opinions regarding Russia—as did participants who read about the possibility for mutually beneficial exchange between the United States and Russia. Taken as a whole, the findings suggest that national interest frames in media coverage resonate with ordinary citizens.