BU Bournemouth
University
SCIENCE JOURNALISM FOR DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM: A MULTI-FACET INVESTIGATION OF ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL SOUTH
TRAN THI YEN MINH
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Bournemouth University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Trang 2Minh Tran |
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY
| hereby declare that this thesis represents my own work, except as acknowledged in the text It has not been submitted for the degree of PhD at Bournemouth University or any other institution
The following publications have been revised, updated and incorporated in this thesis either as passages or as single chapters:
1 Nguyen, A and Tran, M., 2019 Science journalism for development in the Global South: A systematic review of its characteristics, issues and
challenges /n: Proceedings of the 69 Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Washington, DC, 24-28 May, 2019
2 Nguyen, A and Tran, M, 2019 Science journalism for development in the Global South: A systematic literature review of issues and challenges Public Understanding of science, 28(8), 973 -
990, https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662519875447
3 Tran, M and Nguyen, A (forthcoming) Professional challenges to science journalism in developing countries: insights and implications from Vietnam
(intended for Science Communication)
Candidate’s Signature Principal Supervisor’s Signature
J
_— "
Trang 3ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This PhD thesis is dedicated to several people, whose without support and encouragement, this journey would not be possible
First and foremost, | would like to express my greatest appreciation to my supervisory team, Professor An Nguyen and Professor Einar Thorsen, for your invaluable directions, constructive criticisms and thorough guidelines for my research project | appreciate your thorough understanding and considerable encouragement throughout
my four years at Bournemouth University | have learned so much from both of you
and | am sincerely grateful for you always giving me great comments no matter how busy your work and life were
Especially, Dr An, | owe you deep gratitude for my journey You are not only a supervisor, an ideal person for my academic life, but also an inspirer, a Big Brother who gave me endless support during my time in the UK | don’t know how to express my appreciation for your critical comments and wholehearted revisions on my thesis, from the starting date when it was just a simple and rough proposal, till today, when it becomes a complete thesis | shall extend my special thanks to your family, sister Minh and your lovely children Hellen-Ben-Annie, who always gave me good food and a warm welcome whenever | come to your sweet home
| acknowledge the funding for this project by The Vietnamese Ministry of Education
and Training, The University of Danang — Danang University of Science and Education | strongly appreciate the professional help of the administrative staff at
Bournemouth University, particularly Sunny Choice and Cansu Kurt Green for your quick and nice responses whenever | was badly in need of help
Trang 4Minh Tran |
best friends, Tran Doan Phi Yen, Tang Phuong Thao, Nguyen My Quyen, Vo Thu
Hang, Le Duc Tien, Le Minh Tuong, Hoang Cong Huan for always listening, inspiring and giving me valuable advice | am also grateful to my younger sister Van-Kit for helping me with the proofreading
My very special thanks go to my big family, my parents Tho-Tien, Binh-Binh, my siblings Huy-Thao, my aunties, uncles and cousins, for your endless support during my life and this four-years of study | do not know how to express enough appreciation for your taking care of my little son when | was away from home Mom and Dad, without your love, | could not be who | am today
My soulmate, my husband, | do not know how to begin with saying thank you Thanks for always being by my side and | know that the only distance between us is just a twelve-hour flight Thanks for your being very understanding, sympathising and for raising me up through the most stressful moments of my PhD life
Last but not least, this thesis is dedicated to my son, Nguyen Tran Canh Phuc - Jacky who is the love of my life Mom hopes that my effort of doing PhD would be a source of inspiration for your future
Trang 5Minh Tran |
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS DURING THIS PHD CANDIDATURE
Journal article
Nguyen, A and Tran, M., 2019 Science journalism for development in the Global South: A systematic literature review of issues and challenges Public Understanding of science, 28(8), 973 -
990, https://doi.org/10.1177/096366251 9875447
Conference and seminar papers
1 Tran, M., 2017 Science journalism Mapping the field: The current status of science journalism in developing countries /n: The Graduate School In: The
9" Annual Post Graduate Conference 8" March 2017 Bournemouth
University, Bournemouth p.8
Tran, M., 2019 The representation of scientific controversies in Vietnamese online newspapers /n: Proceedings of the Popular Culture Association 20179,
Washington, DC, 17-20 April 2019
Nguyen, A and Tran, M., 2019 Science journalism for development in the
Global South: A systematic review of its characteristics, issues and
challenges In: Proceedings of the 69" Annual Conference of the International Communication Association, Washington, DC, 24-28 May 2019
Tran, M and Nguyen, A., 2019 Professional challenges and impediments to science journalism in Vietnam In: [AMCR Communication, Technology and Human Dignity: Disputed Rights, Contested Truths, Madrid, 7-11 July 2010
Tran, M., Nguyen, A and Thorsen, E., 2019 The representation of artificial
intelligence in Vietnam news media: Attention, sources, frames and attitudes In: Future of Journalism 2019, Cardiff, 12-13 September 2019
Tran, M 2020 The representation of artificial intelligence in Vietnamese news media: A case study of journalism about global scientific controversies in the
developing world /n: The Global Virtual Science Journalism Forum, 24-16
Trang 6Relevant papers in progress:
1 Tran, M and Nguyen A (Forthcoming), So much to do, so little done:
Tension between role perception and role performance among Vietnamese science journalists
2 Tran, Mand Nguyen, A (forthcoming) Professional challenges to science journalism in developing countries: insights and implications from Vietnam
(intended for Science Communication)
3 Tran, M Nguyen, A and Thorsen, E (forthcoming) News representation of artificial intelligence in Vietnam and its implications for journalism about science controversies in the developing world
Trang 7vi
ABSTRACT
Context: Although science journalism plays a central role for development in the Global South, it has not reached a high level of professionalism However, the literature on science journalism in developing countries is still thin The majority of existing studies have used science journalism in developed countries as a benchmark to evaluate that in the developing world and to propose reporting practices that might not be entirely relevant to the latter Furthermore, an overwhelming amount of research employs content analysis to explore the tip of the iceberg, but less attention is paid to the complexity in the process of news production, including news sources, media ownership and control, journalistic ethics and strategy, political implication and interest groups’ influence The lack of in-depth analysis shows a gap in understanding the nuance of science reporting in the developing world
Aims: This study uses Vietnam as a research site to gain empirical insights into the current status of science journalism professionalism in a developing First, it aims to uncover how Vietnamese science journalists perceive their professional roles in relation to Vietnam’s development processes and the key obstacles and challenges to their ability to perform such roles and to achieve professionalism Second, the work investigates news representation of two scientific controversies, artificial intelligence and genetically modified organism, to examine the content practice of Vietnamese science journalism and its implications for the country’s national development Placing the findings in the context of other developing countries, it assesses the implications of weaknesses in the Global South’s science journalism for global science debates and international development efforts
Trang 8vil
science news output, through the case of global science controversies Thematic content analysis was employed to elucidate how the beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and practices of Vietnamese science journalists manifest in their science news output By analysing the presence, meanings and relationships among patterns of science news stories, the study would capture the writers’ perception and behaviours and provide insights into how the newsroom frame and shape public understanding of science The characteristics of science news found in the content analysis were then linked to interviewed science journalists’ professional attitudes and capabilities to explore potential causal relationships in science journalism in Vietnam
Findings: Data from in-depth interviews show that despite their high expectation for science journalism, the media fail to promote public understanding of and engagement in science Vietnamese journalists lack the essential professional knowledge and skills to deal with science events and issues Having reported science for some time, several still struggle to define what science journalism is or should be about They generally disregard the local relevance and importance of controversial science developments, and when they pay attention, they rely heavily on foreign sources and are uncritically skewed toward benefits at the expense of proper reporting of risks, including risks that are highlighted in the country’s development Also, with less than enthusiastic support from science-unfriendly news editors and executives and with a rampancy of unethical practice, they tend to sensationalise science to attract the audience, sometimes with some disastrous consequences Added to these are a number of challenges and obstacles from outside the newsroom, including insufficient and reluctant cooperation of local scientists, political control on science and policy reporting, and commercial
influences
Further analysis into how their perceptions and performances are reflected in media
coverage of genetically modified organism (GMO) and artificial intelligence (Al) shows
Trang 9viil
news coverage of both issues is associated with more benefits to risks Despite these similarities, news coverage of GMO is dominated by foreign source whereas local journalists publish more domestic stories about Al However, few international stories are localised into indigenous context, making GMO and Al less relevant to Viethamese public daily concern
Trang 10TABLE OF CONTENT
LÏSf Of FFÏU@S - - ¬ ¬ x HHHHH T nem xi LiSf Of TaDl@S - - - - - Ă Ăn ng v4 xii Chapter 1: Science journalism for development in the Global South: Vietnam AS A FESEAMICH Site 8n ẽ 1
1.1 Science and technology for developmen ‹‹ccc cài 2 1.2 Science journalism for developmeinn( ‹cccccc tt cà 3 1.3 Our limited understanding of science journalism in the Global South 6
1.4 The rationale for this thesis and research questions 8 1.5 _A mixed-method approach ccc tt nn ST Hs HH nh vu 14 1.6 The approach and structure of this thesis .- -cc <<: 16 Chapter 2: The current state of science journalism in Vietnam: Initial insights from in-depth interviews with journalÏsfS SSnnnSS nnemee 21 2.1 Anoverview of Vietnamese news media sysfem cccc ccŸằẰ 25 2.2 _ In-depth interviews with Vietnamese reporters and editors 30
2.3 High normative expectations of science journaliSM 34 2.4 Heavy dependence on foreign SOUFC©S cho 37 2.5 _ Science journalism in the back-seatf n nho 41
2.6 The dearth of in-depth science reporfinQ -‹‹‹cc -c cv ssssse 45
Ai is 9 ằ7 ằằ.ằ 52
Chapter 3: Underlying challenges to science journalism professionalism in Mau i0 S3 3.1 Internal challenges facing science journalism in Vietnam 55 J3.1.1 Editors' indiference to science JournaliSm - 5-2222 56 jđ.1.2 Poor work and pay CO'dlÍiOfI c c2 21 1E SE SE 1 xxx key 57 3.1.3 Rampancy of low ethical StAN@IAS 000.0 cccccccccsssecsseccccceeensseeeeeeseeeecssseesaaeeeees 60 3.2 External challenges to professional science journalism in Vietnam 63 3.2.1 Political CONFO! ON SCIENCE FEPOMTING u ccccccccsssseeesecccceceeceseeeeeeseececessssseaeeees 63 3.2.2 Lack of cooperation from the local science comtmunIfy 69 x Fe Pa ©70) 0(6110(0 11016 00 (0) (<5: 74 Chapter 4: The representation of global scientific controversies in the
MOCHA oo 76
Trang 11Minh Tran |
4.4 Research into the production of global scientific controversies
IN THE MEA 20 .- 91
4.5 CONCIUGING NOTES ccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeaaeaeeseeeeaaeaaaaaaasesseeseeseeeeeeeeeeseneey 94 Chapter 5: Case study 1: Vietnamese news reporting of controversies over genetically modified organiSimS ng 91 5.1 A review of genetically modified organism (GM©O) 98
XI, C0 9o nn 98
9.1.2 Research on media coverage of GOMO .-c c1 11 xxx hà, 102 9.1.3 Reporting GMO - a “baffle-word” in the media . -. - 104
5.2 _ GMOin Vietnam - prospects and challenges 108
5.3 Methods for this chapf©r ccccc 1111 1H nnnn nga 111 5.4 _ A modest and superficial coverage of GMO -cc che: 118 5.5 Tendency to depict GMO as scientific progress and promising industry 123
5.6 Preference of benefif fO riSkK ‹ - c1 1111 xxx nhe 129 5.7 The propensity for foreign SOUFC@ 00 0111111 ưưào 137 5.8 Further analysis and primary conclusionS -ccccc cà: 140 Chapter 6: Case study 2: Vietnamese news representation of artificial intelligence and ItS CONTFOVETSICS .ccceceeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeneenennenaeaaeas 144 6.1 Aglance at artificial intelligence (Al) cc ccesessseeeeeeeeeeeeessssessssssseeeseeeens 145 6.1.1 Artificial intelligence — The rise of a global isSue -+- 145
6.1.2 Artificial intelligence — A global opportunity and challenge for humanity 148
6.1.3 The need to study media representation of artificial intelligence 152
6.2 The emerging scholarly interest in news coverage of AIl 153
6.3 Methods for this chapf©r .‹ c1 1111 nnnnk nghe 160 6.4 Generally growing media attention but predominantly event-driven coverage - LH HH TH Tnhh nh khu 164 6.5 The salience of economic proSpeGCf -ccccc.SSSSs nhe 169 6.6 Politicised media coverage of Ạ nh hưào 174 6.7 The heavy focus on AI benefifS 0n nnn ng xào 176 6.8 Insufficient connection between global issues and local contexts, despite the prevalence Of lOCal StOFIOS cccccccccccccecseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessaaeeeeeeeeeeeeesaeenaeessses 182 6.9 Further analysis ANd CONCIUSIONS cccccccceeessseeeteeeteteeseeeesesensstssnsnsseeeeens 186 Chapter 7: Towards a better future of science journalism for development: Vietnam and beyOnd - - - - xH TT gen 192 7.1 _ Summary of findings ST ng nnn ng ng ng TT vườn 193 7.2 LOOKING tO 010 a ẫ ố.ố.ố 196 7.3 Call for further reS@arch ccccccccccssssssssseceeeeeseesseeeeeeeeeseeeeeessssaaaaeeeeeeeeess 204
Trang 12xi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Timeline of fish sauce incident (Source: Datasection Vietnam) 44 Figure 5.1: The monthly media coverage of GMO in 2017 - 20168 114 Figure 5.2: Graphical representation of mean differences in GMO risk
and benefit intensity and specificity across themes ‹cccc cà: 129 Figure G.1: Three stages of Al developmen SSSS Si rkkkrrrrre 143 Figure 6.2: The monthly media coverage of AI in 2017 — 2018 - 160
Figure 6.3: Graphical representation of mean differences
Trang 13Minh Tran |
Xil
LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1: The research into media representation of
global science conffOVe©rSi©@S - TL TH TT nH ng TT nh khu 79 Table 5.1: Reliability test for GMO 0.0.0 ‹ấa 3 112
Table 5.2: Genres of GMO news arfiC©S cc che 115
Table 5.3: Type of coverage by type of news oufÌ©fS -cccccccccŸccc se hiệ: 115 Table 5.4: Mentioned science aspecfS .- -ccccnnnn HH nhe nhàn 116 Table 5.5 The major topics, themes and controversies of GMO articles 119 Table 5.6 The association between type of newspaper and GMO theme 120 Table 5.7 Frames of GMO arficl©S nhe 121 Table 5.8 The types of sources cited in GMO afticleS .: 122 Table 5.9 Risk and benefit presence in GMO articles -cccccccc++S: 124 Table 5.10 The association between GMO topic and the presence of risk
F106 @1=) 0) | ee 125
Table 5.11 The association between GMO theme and the presence of risk
cI009080-00- 00-3 126 Table 5.12 Type of GMO risks and benefifs TS nhớ 127 Table 5.13 The intensifty and specificity of GMO risk and benefif - 128 Table 5.14 Explicit stance towards GMO -LLcQQQQQQnnnnnn HH HH như né 130 Table 5.15 The association between theme and the explicit stance towards GMO 131
Table 5.16 The localisation of GMO news in VietN@M .cccesseeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeees 133
Table 5.17 The association between GMO themes and locality of event/ issue 133 Table 5.18 Origin of the Cited SOUICE cececcccccecececeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeesssessseeeseeeeeeeeesaaaas 134 Table 6.1 Reality tesf for Al c1 111111111 hờ 158 Table 6.2 Type of coverage by type of news outl©fS cccccccccŸ cà: 160
Table 6.3 Genres of Al news arfiCl©S 0 0 1n hhhhhờ 162
Trang 14xiii
cI0i9086 0-0 0017 Ha 172 Table 6.11 Type of risks and benefifS - - - -Lcc nSSS SH nhàn 174
Table 6.12 The intensity and specificity of AI risk and benefit 175
Table 6.13 The explicit stance towards AI -cc TQ nn HH HH như né 176 Table 6.14 The association between theme and the explicit stance towards AI 177
Table 6.15 The localisation of AI news in Vietnam ‹ -cccccneeese 178
Table 6.16 Origin of the cifted SOUFC© QnnSSS HS SH nàn 179