Agenda-Setting in ABC Australia's China Tonight: A Content Analysis of China-related Coverage

Abstract: This study investigates how Australia’s national broadcaster ABC set the media agenda for China-related issues through its program China Tonight from 2021 to 2023. Drawing on first-level agenda-setting theory, the research employs content analysis to examine 23 episodes, identifying issue salience and thematic evolution. The findings reveal that the program predominantly focused on social and political topics—such as China’s population policies, education reforms, human rights, and diplomatic tensions—while also gradually incorporating cultural and everyday life issues over time. The thematic shifts across the three years reflect both geopolitical developments and changing audience expectations. The study demonstrates a dual logic in ABC’s reporting, balancing “hard” topics with socially resonant “soft” topics to construct a multidimensional image of China. By highlighting the agenda-setting mechanisms at play, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of intercultural media narratives and offers insights into the dynamics of China–Australia media relations. Limitations and directions for future research are also discussed.