We all know that there is media censorship in China, but how does it actually work? Does it censor everything that is sensitive or critical of the government? If not, where is the line? Is the media as severely censored as many think? This deck presents a quick tour of how much freedom Chinese journalists have as in real reporting life. We will discuss how journalists in China play a game of balance, to maximize their reporting freedom while avoiding crossing the line.

1. BEING A JOURNALIST IN CHINA
CINDY ZHOU, PRESENTED FOR THE THINKERY, OCT

2. AGENDA
I. Overview of China’s Media Regulation Landscape
II. Real Challenge: The Blurry Line
III. How do journalists get around in real life?
V. Discussion

3. REGULATION LANDSCAPE
More than a dozen government bodies are involved in reviewing and
enforcing laws related to information flow within, into and from China.
 Central Propaganda Ministry (CPM)
-
the highest level of party agency for all media business and setting out
policy guidelines
-
Central newspapers are mostly under direct supervision of the CPM;
Provincial newspapers under Propaganda Departments of Provincials Party
Committee “generally”
 General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP)
The press card/pass is issued
-
GAPP also supervise the investment and operations in newspaper and
magazines
3
-

4. REGULATION LANDSCAPE
 State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television (SARFT)
-
Responsible for policy and regulation drafting and enforcement on TV/radio/film
-
Central TV and Radio directly to Central SARFT, locals to local SARFT
 State Council Information Office (SCIO)
-
Digital media is under State Council Information Office the main Internet
regulation agency

5. REGULATION LANDSCAPE
Party
LIU Yunshan
member
Standing Committee
of Political Burerau
Central Propaganda Ministry
Liu Qibao
Minister
Political Bureau Member
State Council
General Administration
of Press and Publication
State Administration of
Radio, Film, and Television
State Office
of Information

6. NEWSPAPER MANAGEMENT
Editor
in
Chief
Deputy
Editor
in
Chief
Department
Director
ie, Current
Affairs
Deputy
Editor
in
Chief
Department
Director
ie, Politics &
Legal
Editors and
Reporters
Urban News
Dept
Editors and
Reporters
Deputy
Editor
in
Chief
Economic News
Dept
Editors and
Reporters
Financial
Dept
Editors and
Reporters
Editors and
Reporters
Sports
Dept
General
Manager
Advertising
Entertainment
Dept
Editors and
Reporters
Editors and
Reporters

7. TELEVISION MANAGEMENT
President
VP
Channel
Director
VP
Channel
Director
Producer
Channel
Director
Producer
Advertising
GM
VP
Channel
Director
Producer
Channel
Director
Producer
Channel
Director
Producer
Producer

8. MEDIA “TYPE”
“Authoritative” Media
“A Supplementary Media Group”
•
•
Phoenix is a “grey” media group. Defined
as “half-mainland, half-overseas”, it
operates with more freedom.
•
Based in Hong Kong with all its channels,
magazines and websites landed in the
mainland, Phoenix is getting increasingly
popular and influential.
•
Those directly under the central
authorities -- represent the
OFFICIAL voice of the Party and
Central government.
Their tones are followed by all
media under “special”
circumstances

9. THE CHANGE…
China’s media is undergoing a process of commercialization, which some observers
believe is leading to growing competition, diversified content, and an increase in
investigative reporting by Chinese news agency.
 Diversified investors
 Market-oriented
 Reliant on advertising
 Global view
 Bilingual reporters
 Look for big/controversial stories and social slant
 Follow the party line on political issues

10. THE BLURRY LINE
When will the
Restrictions
/Guidelines
arrive？
How and Why
should it be
executed?
BLURRY
What will be the
Restrictions
/Guidelines?
In my opinion, compared with strict but cleardefined control measures, the blurry nature of
the restriction brings more challenges.

11. HOW DO JOURNALISTS GET AROUND?
The Time Gap
Individual Publishing
The Edge Ball

12. A CONVERSATION
freedom
12
Credibility

13. THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION
We are living at the crest of a communications
revolution. The no rules of marketing and public
communications are the parts of a much bigger
and incredibly important evolution.
Contact Me
Name: Cindy Zhou
Email: cindyzhouxinyi@gmail.com