A Study on Reporting Verbs in News Reports of Global Food Security in China Daily

Abstract

Based on a self-constructed corpus and a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, this study systematically examines reporting verbs in news reports of global food security in China Daily, exploring their discourse functions and role in constructing national image. The findings show that neutral reporting verbs are used most frequently, enhancing the objectivity of news discourse while implicitly shaping an image of China as rational and open. Positive reporting verbs rank second, highlighting the importance of information, strengthening discourse authority and persuasiveness, and portraying China as an active participant in global food security governance. Negative reporting verbs are used least frequently, serving to counter unfounded accusations, maintain national image, and emphasize the urgency of food security issues. Overall, the using of reporting verbs in China Daily not only conveys information but also constructs and disseminates national image at the discourse level. The study suggests that reporting verbs are important discursive resources for ideological expression and national image construction in news media.