In the article China’s Television in Transition the main thesis of the article in my opinion is that China’s media industry is developing rather quickly but at the same time it is being held back by the government. ”Given that the media is meant to voice public opinion, and that the party represents the masses, the party must justify its control of the media when propagating its ideology.” In China, the Chinese government plays a large part in censorship of the media.
The article starts off by talking about the history of China’s television industry. May 1, 1958 was the year of China’s first television station and by the year 1963 that number grew to a total of 36 stations (including relay stations). And like many of the other broadcast stations we have read about the administration began to list the tasks and standards into their broadcast policy. ”1) to propagate the policy of the Party and the State; 2) to report the achievement of the socialist cause; 3) to proliferate technological and social education; 4) to enrich the cultural life of people life of people and 5) to promote international exchange” Since the beginning the Chinese government as had control of censorship in it’s media. Which is not to say that every other government in the world is perfect. It’s just that China is probably one of the more stricter governments when it comes to censorship.
There have been however tremendous changes in the China’s television industry. Several changes in the structure, policy and a step in the right direction for globalization. But the author does point out that these advances technology and structure doesn’t exactly equate to the need of free expression of public opinion.
The video below shows a story of a Chinese journalist form the late 90′s reporting about poverty and employment in Shanghai. But after covering this sensitive story her boss tells her to change the report to cover positive angles instead. He also tells her that must not contain any criticism of government or question a single government official. Smells a little like government propaganda to me.
