本論文以形象理論與議題設定理論為基礎，藉知識探勘法及內容分析法探討美聯社網路新聞對於胡錦濤第一任期的報導趨勢，以及在新聞文本中所塑造出的中國大陸領導人形象，並用統計方法量化質析中國大陸形象與其領導人形象在不同年度的差異與變化後，再以蓋洛普等民調作對照。 研究結果發現，自2002年11月至2007年10月間，美聯社網路新聞內容含胡錦濤共計1703則，在縮小範圍為和平與威脅2項議題後，各計325則與371則。接著劃分各年度的報導量，並與歷年蓋洛普民調「美國對中國大陸之情感溫度計」數據做對照，顯示歷年美聯社對大陸的2項相對議題報導量，牽動著美國民眾對中國大陸好感度與壞印象的民調指數。 另外在美聯社1703則新聞中，僅將標題含胡錦濤之74則作為分析渠形象的樣本。以年度報導量而言，2004年的報導量最少，2006年報導量最多；篇幅上最多為300-1000字的新聞占近7成；以報導主題而言，國際新聞面向的報導比例高於商業面向與個人面向；就新聞評價而言，正、負面皆超過1/3，惟中性亦達28﹪；參照2008年美國芝加哥外交委員會民調，美民眾對胡錦濤之好感度為15﹪，低於對江澤民在2002年的38﹪。 Based on the image theory and the agenda-setting theory, with knowledge discovery method and content analysis method, we discussed the public image of the PRC’s leader Hu Jintao created by the AP’s Internet Coverage. By using statistic analysis, we found the correlation and the correspondent between PRC’s country image and Hu’s personal image, than sided with Gallup surveys. There are 1703 coverages related to Hu Jintao from September 2002 to October 2007. After narrowed down into 2 issues 325 reports are about peace and 371 are about threat. Compared with the quantities of annual reports and Gallop survey, “Americans’ Feeling Thermometer of Mainland China”, we found that each year of the two issues on AP’s Internet Coverages do effect the Americans’ perceptions toward Mainland China. Moreover, there are 74 out of 1703 articles whose topics mentioned about Hu Jintao. In 2004, it is hardly mentioned. While in 2006, it is widely discussed. And 70% of the articles are carefully crafted from 300 to 1000 words apiece. Issues related to international relations reported more than commerce and personalities. The critics about him are close to mutual. Though according to the America Chicago Committee of Foreign Affairs survey in 2008, the positive attitude towards Hu Jintao is 15%; far less than Jiang Zemin, 38%, in 2002.
