Media Reforms
Under the rule of Mao Zedong’s CCP, the media existed as an auxiliary of the Chinese government, spreading propaganda, reporting only on what the government allowed, and never questioning the policies of the government. Today, the CCP has released its stranglehold on the media somewhat, although stringent regulations still apply.
A media source cannot question the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China. Certain points of view regarding major political issues such as the political status of Taiwan and China’s rule over Tibet are not permitted to be printed in Chinese news or broadcasted on Chinese airwaves. No private citizen may operate a news outlet; all news sources must be owned or operated by a government agency, office, or labor party.
Yet, advances are being made.
Advances in Chinese Media:
How they are being made
For economic reasons, China has cut subsidies to media outlets. Today, over 60% of news funding must be acquired through private means: media consumers. This has caused heavy competition between newspapers, radio talk shows, and television programs to interest and engage its audience. Also, because less funding is coming from the Chinese government, the government has less say over what is printed and broadcasted. Media sources, especially radio, where callers can anonymously speak their minds, have begun to criticize the government and address social issues.
A wider variety of news sources has also influenced the media in China. The most prolific source of unadulterated media in China is now, believe it or not, text messaging. The internet also plays a large role in the broadcasting of information and international news. Through the internet, residents of China gan get uncensored news from Chinese News Digest, an online service created by Chinese volunteers in the US and Australia. It is estimated that 90,000,000 Chinese homes have access to the internet, and it is further estimated that a billion will be added in the next four years. Since most of these will be in residences, it will become increasingly difficult for the government to regulate what information is accessed.
The restrictions on media, though lessened, are still restrictions. The government requires newspapers to be registered and attached to a state-sanctioned organization. It still occasionally jails or fines journalists for “unfavorable” reporting. And, it still imposes other punishments when it deems that criticism ahs gone too far. For example, it shut down the magazine Future and Development for running articles that called for greater democracy in China.
Still, much of the dissent, especially in broadcast journalism, goes unpunished because of the overwhelming popularity of the programs.
Chinese Media Outlets
CCTV
People’s Daily
Xinhua
Chinese News Digest
China Daily
Asia Television Ltd
Radio Television Hong Kong
Metro Radio
Next Magazine
Videoage
Television Broadcasts Limited
Far Eastern Economic Review
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