Two International Propaganda Models: Comparing RT and CGTN’s 2020 US Election Coverage

Recent transformations in the media and communications environment have prompted states to invest heavily in external communications to pursue inter-state competition. Among authoritarian countries, Russia and China have invested particularly heavily in international news, through outlets like RT and CGTN. However, few comparative studies have examined the differences between authoritarian states’ use of international news for geopolitical purposes. This article conducts a comparative, mixed-method, multi-platform content analysis of RT and CGTN’s 2020 US election coverage. Based on multiple differences between the outlets’ content, it argues that they adopt two distinct international propaganda models. RT operates a “partisan parasite” model, imitating a partisan outlet in the US’ media ecology, while CGTN employs a “surface neutrality” model, which cloaks pro-China propaganda with a superficial impression of impartiality. Explicating these models using original empirical evidence, the paper advances theory on the evolving use of international news media as a geopolitical tool.