We investigate the enduring complexities of South Korean-Japanese-Chinese relations, focusing on the territorial disputes over the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo/Takeshima) and the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. These disputes, deeply rooted in historical, geographical, and political factors, have long been contentious, complicating diplomatic negotiations. Over the past century, fluctuations in mutual perceptions and attitudes have been exacerbated by misperceptions and a lack of understanding among the parties involved. Using Herman and Chomsky's Propaganda Model, we explore how global political institutions shape media interpretations, particularly through news framing. We examine how foreign policies and national ideologies influence the coverage of international conflicts and territorial issues. Our analysis focuses on the persistent news frames of three prominent global news agencies—AP, Xinhua, and Reuters—whose extensive coverage of these territorial disputes between 2020 and 2024 provides a valuable basis for comparison. We combine traditional content analysis, focusing on the quantity, sources, and types of foreign news coverage, with a qualitative assessment of the framing of images and roles in the reports. Variations in coverage reflect the dominant ideologies and national interests of each agency's home nation, revealing distinct journalistic norms. The divergent news framing of territorial disputes underscores how media outlets prioritize their respective geopolitical concerns, shaping public perception and policy responses. We contribute to the understanding of mediated public diplomacy and propaganda in the Asia-Pacific region, offering insights into the role of media in framing global issues and influencing public opinion.
