Territorial disputes, and the changes of names: A framing study of the South China Sea’s news coverage

One of the most consequential territorial disputes today is the South China Sea (SCS) dispute, involving Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Drawing on Communication Geography and a qualitative framing analysis of 533 English-language news articles from state-affiliated outlets in these six countries, this article shows how media actively reshape the definition and contestation of geographical space. The analysis reveals that Chinese state media project stability and a preference for peaceful resolution, while other claimants remain skeptical and carefully avoid actions that might provoke Beijing, given its global influence. Across outlets, naming practices and repeatable symbolic devices are used to align the SCS with national interests, reinforcing competing territorial imaginaries and amplifying the salience of the dispute. Focusing on state‑affiliated English coverage highlights how official media articulate policy positions, signal diplomatic red lines to international audiences, and shape the legal and rhetorical resources available to negotiators.