This paper analyses the bias of Western and Chinese newspaper media in their coverage of the Umbrella Movement that took place in Hong Kong in 2014. Using the appraisal framework to analyse the chosen articles' attitudes and positionings, I observed that both Western and Chinese media are heavily biased in their coverage of the events and that their different political and ideological viewpoints are distinctly reflected in the articles.

An analysis of the articles in Western media shows strong support for the Umbrella Movement and the protesters' demand for more transparent elections for Hong Kong's chief executive in 2017. By contrast, Chinese media express unequivocal disapproval for the Umbrella Movement and clearly stand behind the pro-Beijing supporters and the decision by the Chinese Communist Party to pre-screen candidates for the chief executive post.

The implication is therefore that Western media place highest value on democratic elections for the chief executive and an autonomous Hong Kong not controlled by Beijing. On the contrary, Chinese media put highest importance on pro-Beijing values, i.e. Hong Kong being an integral part of mainland China that is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.