Investigative Journalism in China

More about the book

Despite state censorship and political control, investigative journalism has thrived in China over the past decade. This volume provides a comprehensive, first-hand perspective on the field, featuring insider accounts from reporters behind significant stories. Contrary to the stereotype of Chinese journalists as compliant Party affiliates, many courageous reporters have uncovered corruption and misconduct, often at great personal risk. Topics explored include officials misappropriating state funds, charity directors misusing donations, and businesses exploiting consumers, as well as the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists themselves. The case studies delve into pressing issues such as media commercialization, the evolution of ethical journalism, the rise of “news blackmail,” navigating complex bureaucracies, the threats of libel suits, and the influence of political pressures on reporting. These narratives, developed during fellowships at the Journalism & Media Studies Centre (JMSC) at the University of Hong Kong, were rigorously fact-checked and edited to reflect the ongoing media transitions in the PRC. This engaging narrative offers readers a vivid understanding of journalism in China today.