Continuity and Change in China's Media Reform

Abstract

Change and continuity in ideology, structure, and operation of China's media reform, are documented by contrasting the present reform with three previous ones in 1942, 1945, and 1956. Whereas all reforms were aimed at efficient utilization of media for Party goals, the present one has had the unintended effect of liberalizing China's media system, which, together with the move toward marketization, contributes to further erosion of the Party's power and ideological control. The article also discusses the interaction among ideologies, structure, and operation as well as reform's relationship to the political economy. Reform's challenges for research are suggested.