Foreign Policy and the Media: The US in the Eyes of the Indonesian Press

by Jarno S. Lang

Overview

This book analyzes the response of the Indonesian press to American foreign policy during the administrations of Presidents Bush and Obama. Situated in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country and the largest Muslim nation, and as such is a potentially vital economic and strategic partner to the US in the 21^st century. Ever since Indonesian independence post World War II, relations to the US have been marked by ups and downs. The author argues that the way the Indonesian public perceives the world has an impact on the national self—image that again heavily influences national foreign affairs. For both the US and Indonesia, this is a crucial moment in bilateral relations. This study explores Indonesian media responses to American foreign policy by analyzing more than 400 press articles. In the context of President Obama’s declared “pivot to Asia”, both countries need to find a way to foster better relations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349955404
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	06/15/2018
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2016
Pages:	255
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jarno S. Lang works for the NGO Arbeiter—Samariter—Bund and is a Reporter for Fair Observer. He holds an MA from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, in the humanities and a PhD in International Relations from the University of Freiburg, Germany. During his studies for this book, he was able to combine his personal and professional interests in Southeast Asia.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.— Introduction: The Relevance of the Indonesian—American Relations.— 1. Theoretical Perspectives – A Lens through which to View the World.— 2. A Research Design for a Qualitative Image Study.— 3. The Indonesian Press and US—Indonesian Relations.— 4. The Three Steps of Analysis.— 5. Empirical Frame I – The US in Southeast Asia.— 6. Empirical Frame II – The US in the ‘Arab World’.— 7. Empirical Frame III – The US Globally.— Conclusion: The US in the Indonesian Press – Between Threat and Opportunity.

Editorial Reviews

This book is arguably a pioneer in the field of media studies. … The most important contribution of this study lies in its ability to show clearly the link between the media, public opinion and foreign policy.” (Wijayanto, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Vol. 39 (2), August, 2017)

From the Publisher