Chinese Media in Transition
Chinese Revolution Mao Tse Tung’s Cultural Revolution mass mobilization of urban Chinese youth- Red Guards to prevent the development of Soviet style of communism persecution of teachers and intellectuals cult of Mao’s personality - Maoism economic crisis, industrial production dropped
China in the 80s and 90s 1978-late 1980s: the new president Deng Xiao Ping Revitalization of economy Four Modernizations: agriculture, industry, science & technology, military establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) > attract foreign investments Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province
Shenzhen City
TV in China Gov. makes major commitment to TV in 1980s stations start to develop at national, regional, local level 540+ stations; 100 produce original programs TV ownership rises to almost every urban home by 1990 by 1995: 86% “were able to watch TV” 90% of viewers can receive the national channel CCTV
TV in China TV’s unintended consequences: raises expectations regarding prosperity becomes site of popular discussion about modernization and social change motivates personal earnings and saving, which in turn stimulates the national economy
News Culture CCTV is heavily controlled by the CCP CCTV-News was in reaction to global competition: Murdoch’s Phoenix TV and other regional channels Failed start of CCTV-News because of structural problems war in Iraq Earthquake: major change
The rise of CCTV-News imposed a re- articulation of journalistic professionalism and philosophy of news; Market-professionalism of the Western model is criticized and Partisan media model is upheld as a better service to the public. Chinese are exposed to a global news culture that operates under the Western model of news-making.
News Culture Is Western professionalism a global norm? Is it necessarily conducive to press freedom? Interest in a more public/civic role for journalists in China
Public/civic Role Not telling the news, but helping public life go well; From a detached journalist to a public life participant; From describing what’s wrong to imagining what’s right; From seeing people as consumers, readers, and bystanders to seeing them as a public that can suggest solutions to public issues.
Challenges Focused Interview: to construct; not to destroy Contact with global news media actors causes countries to reconsider their heavy grip on news. The Internet is another window to look at these fundamental changes in the Chinese news culture today.