A Reconsideration of Newspaper Reports Regarding PM2.5 Problems in China Under the Perspective of Risk Communication: Based on the Content Analysis of the Reports of "People's Daily" from Jan.1, 2012 to Dec.31, 2016

Under the influence of various risks, the current Chinese Society has entered a complex period in which it is being compelled to deal with not only worldwide risks, but also China's inherent risks. Based on these circumstances, it is vital to improve public cognition and perception of risks and to promote risk communication. This study focused on the issue of PM2.5 particles and discussed it from the viewpoint of risk communication in China's risk society. In this study, a quantitative content analysis of the reports in the People's Daily newspaper from 2012.1.1 to 2016.12.31 was conducted to analyze the characteristics of the PM2.5 reports and the changes from the past reports about air pollution. Based on the results, accompanying the process of a risk society, the contents and tones of the reports were approaching the public and the method of making to citizens aware has been diversified. Regarding the relationship between the risk society and media, the coverage of PM2.5 plays a role in the function of risk forecast, risk-information need, risk anxiety reduction and science education.