This thesis explores the utility of the Social Identity Theory to our understanding of in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination as an enduring influence on news content. It examines the case of three metropolitan evening newspapers- Yangcheng Evening (Guangzhou), Xinmin Evening (Shanghai) and Beijing Evening (Beijing) -for the degrees to which news treatments serve to protect in-group (urban resident) identities and discriminate against out-groups (migrant laborer) in crime news. The results of this study reveal that all three newspapers were significantly more likely to produce stereotyped images of out-groups (migrant laborer) that reflected discrimination uponagainst out-groupers. Especially in the case of emphasis and exaggeration on group distinctions (household origins in this case), the study's predications were tested. However, only limited support was found for the case of name revealing in ignoring the individual image.