HOW MEDIA FRAMES SHAPE PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF CPEC: A STUDY OF PAKISTAN’S ELITE PRESS

Abstract

The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, has generated significant public debate in Pakistan due to its economic, political, and geopolitical implications. As a major national development project, the public understanding of CPEC is heavily influenced by how the media constructs narratives around its benefits, risks, and strategic purpose. This study examines how Pakistan’s elite press, Dawn, The News International, and The Nation framed CPEC between 2019 and 2023, and how these framing strategies shaped public perceptions of the initiative. Using a mixed-method content analysis of 600 news articles, editorials, and opinion pieces, the study applied Entman’s framing model to analyze dominant frames, tone direction, thematic shifts, and variation across newspapers. The results reveal that economic and development frames dominated coverage, presenting CPEC as a national opportunity for modernization and regional integration. National interest and geopolitical frames reinforced patriotic narratives and strategic alignment with China. Security, transparency, and governance frames appeared less frequently but intensified in response to major security incidents and implementation challenges, indicating event-driven shifts in framing patterns. The study found clear differences across newspapers, with Dawn demonstrating more critical and analytical framing, while The News and The Nation presented more state-aligned narratives. The findings suggest that the elite press play a key agenda-setting and meaning-making role, shaping public optimism, skepticism, and national identity regarding CPEC. The study underscores the importance of balanced and inclusive reporting to support informed public engagement and transparent policy communication. Recommendations are offered for media practice, public communication strategy, and future research.