Digital technology races between China and the US: a critical media analysis of US media coverage of China’s rise in technology and globalization

Abstract Study purpose This study explores how globalization influences U.S. media coverage of China’s digital technologies, focusing on global trends and political, economic, and security concerns. Using Giddens’ and Robertson’s globalization theories, it examines how U.S. media frame China’s technological rise and its connection to U.S. policies, contributing to the literature on media, technology, and globalization in the digital age. Methodology This study used mixed methods of quantitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis (CDA) to examine 2,106 China-related digital technology reports from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal from 2016 to 2023. It analyzed how these outlets frame China’s technological rise in global competition and security, while exploring U.S. government policies on China’s digital technology. Main findings The study highlights how digital technology is intertwined with the global market economy, where neoliberal practices create double standards, deepening polarization and distorting competition. It emphasizes digital technology’s role in shaping U.S. national security, market policies, and tech development. The study also identifies rising anti-globalization sentiments within the U.S. digital sector and the growing prevalence of “techno-nationalism” in American media coverage of China’s tech advancements. Social implications The study explores how digital technology, shaped by neoliberal practices, exacerbates polarization and distorts competition in the global market. It highlights its role in shaping U.S. policies on national security and tech development, noting rising anti-globalization sentiments in the U.S. sector. The study also observes the growing presence of “techno-nationalism” in American media coverage of China’s technological rise. Practical implications The findings provide insights for policymakers, businesses, and media professionals on the geopolitical and economic impacts of technological competition. The study highlights how media narratives influence public opinion and decision-making in the digital era. Furthermore, it offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses and media. Originality/value This research integrates globalization theory and technology diffusion frameworks to analyze U.S. media coverage of China’s digital technology, offering insights into how media frames China’s rise in terms of national security and global competition. It enhances understanding of media, technology, and global power for scholars, analysts, and policymakers.