Economic systems and the organization of the media industries
Chinese media organizations
https://www.cgtn.com/
The text will describe the organization of the media industry in the country from a Chinese perspective.
On the other hand, the “democratization” of media companies in the media industry under socialism with Chinese characteristics is further discussed.
These two aspects will be of great significance for the future development of Chinese media organizations.
Characteristics of Chinese media
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40636-015-0012-3
The Chinese media system is not exactly the same or different from the rest of the world, but its most distinctive feature is that Chinese media organizations promote the stability of the local regime and maximize the interests of the media industry in the market without challenging political rights.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40636-015-0012-3
Along with the development of the media industry, China’s media is increasingly showing its diversity, growing together with the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, intermingling and influencing each other to build up the complexity of the Chinese media system.
TIK TOK
https://www.tiktok.com/en/
I will use Tik Tok as an example for discussing the democracy of Chinese news, because TIK TOK is a private social media site in China, which can be understood as a capital-controlled social media platform, and discuss the news part inside.
Positive news
Pandemics & propaganda: How Chinese state media creates
…https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/pandemics-propaganda-how-chinese-state-media-creates-and-propagates-ccp-coronavirus-narratives/
After the first outbreak of the virus in Wuhan in 2020, in just 10 days, “China Speed” accomplished an impossible miracle, with two hospitals rising from the ground, bringing new hope to the people of Wuhan.
The video received huge traffic on Tik Tok (China version), while General Secretary Xi Jinping visited the hospital and mentioned the safety and health of the people.
This instantly gave the people of China a great sense of security. By visiting Tik Tok, the news about the virus was very positive, believing in the Chinese government and the Communist Party of China, and that China could beat the virus.
At that time, my Chinese friends around me kept discussing with me how timely and brave the Chinese government was in responding to emergencies, as people all over the world could see.
Negative news
China Covid Unrest Boils Over as Citizens Defy Lockdown Efforts
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-27/china-covid-unrest-boils-over-as-citizens-defy-lockdown-effort
The following two images show the international and Chinese versions of TIK TOK, searching for the White Paper Revolution, the results are that the international version can see the relevant videos and information, the Chinese version of the search results are blank.
The White Paper Revolution describes a group of people who opposed the virus embargo policy.
The main trigger was the 10 deaths caused by the fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang, which some Chinese people realized was caused by the excessive embargo and the fire could not be put out in time. China needs to open up and return to normal life after two years of the embargo.
Among the protesters there were also calls for the removal of President Xi Jinping and the end of his personal dictatorship and the end of the ruling Communist Party of China.
However, these videos and related information are not available in China, but only on the international version of TIK TOK.
By using TIK TOK as an example
China’s media industry is characterized by a “market-oriented authoritarianism” or “commercial authoritarianism” that accompanies the development of the market.
The Chinese Communist Party’s media organization has a controlling and influential role; through the media industry, it builds the ruling party’s media image, its ability to govern, its philosophy and performance, and obtains a special form of command that permeates the entire country.
Media Censorship in China
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/media-censorship-china
The Chinese government’s media organizations
(National Radio and Television Administration) are mainly involved in supervising, guiding, promoting and making regulations, such as the traditional media industry, TV series, movies, and news media publishers.
The private sector; the capital market has entered the Chinese media system, bringing fresh blood and accompanying development as part of the Emergence of platform capitalism, while satisfying the public’s need for diversified information flow.
However, media democracy in socialist China is a situation in which political rights cannot be challenged.
This article does not represent a personal political position, I am very passionate about China