Chinese Journalism Development Report

All-China Journalists Association

December 2014

Chapter 1

        Overview of Chinese Journalism

Chapter 2

        Public Management System

Chapter 3

        Development of Traditional Media

Chapter 4

        Development of New Media

Chapter 5

        Integrated Development of the Media

Chapter 6

        Staff Composition and Protection of Their Rights and Interests

Chapter 7

        Cultivation of Professional Ethics

Chapter 8

        International Exchanges and Cooperation

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Chapter 1

Overview of Chinese Journalism

The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government both attach great importance to journalism, rendering full support to its development. The industry organizations endeavor to build the ranks of journalists and improve their professional ability and competence. News media are forging ahead to make progress, with their comprehensive strength constantly improving. Currently, the development of Chinese journalism is taking on the following features:

1. The public management system is gradually improving and the environment for journalism development is becoming more and more open. A media management and service system with a good combination of laws and regulations, administrative management, industry discipline and social supervision has gradually taken shape. There is more news transparency and instant coverage. Foreign journalists are enjoying more convenience in news reporting in China.

2. The comprehensive strength of the media is rapidly increasing, and its transmission, credibility and influence are constantly improving. China has become one of the world’s largest newspaper producers, its radio and TV industry is accelerating its transformation, and media credibility and influence are improving. Xinhua News Agency is building itself into a competitive omni-media outlet with global coverage. New media are becoming the most dynamic media form with the biggest influence and potential in China.

3. Reform of the traditional media is deepening, and efforts to bring about integrated development are being renewed. The integrated development of traditional and new media has become a national strategy. On August 18, 2014 the Guidelines on Promoting the Integrated Development of Traditional and New Media, deliberated and approved at the fourth meeting of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening the Reform gave strong impetus and directions for the integrated development of traditional and new media.

4. Unremitting improvement of the building of the ranks of journalists and exploration of a long-term mechanism to enhance professional ethics. China’s press circles are carrying out a campaign of “going to the grassroots to report news, and changing working and writing style” with remarkable achievements, receiving wide acclaim inside and outside the industry. Special operations aimed to crack down on blackmail journalism and fake news are being carried out to purify the environment for journalism. A pilot program to form journalistic ethics committees is being steadily implemented, and a social responsibility report system for the media is gradually being set up.