Abstract
This thesis analyses the coverage of Tibetan refugee protest in Nepal ahead of Beijing Olympics in 2008 in Nepal’s national English daily newspapers: The Rising Nepal (TRN), The Kathmandu Post (TKP) and The Himalayan Times (THT). Using quantitative and qualitative content analysis and qualitative interviews with journalists, the thesis examines the influence of Nepal’s foreign policy relation to China on Nepalese news media. The analysis highlights that Nepal’s geopolitical location neighbouring the trouble spot of China’s Tibet has significant impact on journalists in their understanding and reporting Tibetan protest. My analyses shows state policy matters in coverage of Tibetan protest. I argue that taking editorial positions, the control of content and toning down of the issues is determined by journalists which they consider doing such as national interest. However, Nepalese press does not have single face. The influence of foreign policy is highest on the state media TRN, which defends foreign policy and calls Tibetan protest as an anti China activity. Whereas, private news organizations TKP and THT do not necessarily toe the official line, where humanitarian angle of coverage can be found.