China's Media

China is challenging the mighty behemoths, Google and Facebook, and creating alternative New Media; 750 million people are on its Social Mediascape and there are a billion mobile phones deploying the innovative apps with which Chinese conduct their lives. Though late starters, already four of the world’s leading New Media companies are Chinese. China’s old media—television, newspapers, radio—compete with the established powers, long thought unassailable, such as CNN and BBC. Produced in many languages on every continent, they are redefining the agenda and telling the story China’s way. News and documentary are being followed by entertainment. The world’s biggest manufacturer of TV drama is now making its stories for export. China’s Media tells you why and how; it investigates the Chinese media, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they are different. Abjuring the customary casual writing off of China’s media as "propaganda," this book takes them seriously.

"Examines everything from the official print media to TV reality shows to web blogs. He also analyses the cultural underpinnings of the Chinese media, as well as the government s mentality and the ways it exercises controls. de Burgh succeeds admirably in this insightful portrayal of China's media world. --Jonathan Unger, Editor, The China Journal, Professor of Political Science, Australian National University

"An important and timely book on a critically important topic in the evolving relationship between China and the West. This thoroughly researched and wide-ranging book will greatly assist Western readers to deepen their understanding of China's rich and complex cultural evolution under the policies of reform and opening up. --Peter Nolan, Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management, University of Cambridge

"A timely and thoughtful contribution to the required reading list for any student of global communication. de Burgh's new book provides more than an introduction to the evolving state of media in the world s most populous nation. He has made a compelling case for the central importance of understanding the state, history and future direction of media in China." —John V. Pavlik, Professor of Journalism and Media Studies Department, Rutgers University

"The book moves beyond dogma while sidestepping obligations to validate Western democracy as the benchmark. de Burgh's impartial account of China's media will arouse considerable debate but such debate is surely needed to bring us closer to understanding the complexities of China's media. Required reading." —Michael Keane, Professor and Principal Research Fellow/ Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, Queensland University of Technology

Hugo de Burgh is Professor of Journalism at the University of Westminster and Professor in the School of Media & Communications at Tsinghua University. Previously he was a journalist and television producer for Scottish Television, BBC and (the UK’s) Channel4. His previous books include Investigative Journalism and China: Friend or Foe.