The Changing Political Economy of the Chinese Newspaper Press in the Age of Convergence

• In Event: Does Journalism Pay?

Abstract

Digital technologies, particularly the mobile phone, have had a severe effect on Chinese newspapers. This paper analyses that impact on provincial-level newspaper groups. Evidence drawn from 92 interviews in 6 press groups shows that, faced with the decline of commercial advertising and loss of readers, the groups are developing new strategies. These strategies have strengthened the party-oriented titles inside the groups while weakening the commercially-oriented ones, which have been the site of what limited critical journalism was possible. They depend heavily upon the political influence of the party titles to persuade potential customers, particularly from government departments, to place advertisements. Editorially, there is a shift from providing news towards services, particularly online, which has blurred the differences between journalism and promotional material. The commercial titles have lost what independence they once had. The combination of economic hardship and a harsher political climate means that critical journalism is under great pressure.

Authors

• Haiyan Wang, Sun Yat-sen U

• Colin Sparks, Hong Kong Baptist U

• Nan Lu, Hong Kong Baptist U

• Dan Wang, Hong Kong Baptist U

• Wenna Zeng, Shenzhen U

• Yu Huang, Hong Kong Baptist U