1st Edition
Metro Newspaper Journalists in China The Aspiration-Frustration-Reconciliation Framework
This book explores how journalists at local metro papers in a south-western China metropolis give meaning to their work and how these meanings are shaped by the specific social environment within which these journalists operate. These metro papers provide the bulk of daily news to the general public in China, yet are often understudied compared to the country’s party news outlets. Informed by fieldwork in four metro newspapers, the book puts forward a grounded theory for exploring journalists’ occupational culture: the aspiration-frustration-reconciliation framework.
1. Introduction to "Heaven and Hell"
Purpose of the Study
Why Metro Newspaper Journalists?
Why Journalism Culture?
Structure of the Book
Note on Field Research
2. The Rise of Metro Newspapers and Metro Papers In Kunming
The Rise of Metro Papers
Metro Papers in Kunming
New Players: the Internet and Social Media
3. All the Buzz in the Kunming Newsrooms
Tipsters, BBS and eBikes
General Assignment vs. Beat Reporters
Getting Paid
Cigarettes, Air and Food
4. Aspirations: Ideals of the Journalists
Monitoring Power
Upholding Social Justice
Making a Difference
5. Frustrations: Realities of Daily Work
Obstructions to and Troubles from Reporting
Story Bans
The Red Line
Business Pressure
King without Crown vs. Migrant Worker of News
Frustrated, Disappointed and Conflicted
6. Reconciliations: Compromises in Practice
Helping People While Doing Journalism
Sense of Achievement
Learning to Compromise
Undercover Reporting
7. Journalism Culture in Context: Global Influence, Social Conflict and Epidemic Mistrust
Global Influence
Social Conflict
The Pandemic of Mistrust
8. Social Media Impact
Weibo’s Impact on Journalism amid the Wenzhou Train Collision
New Source of Information
Expanding the Range of Discourse
Defying Censorship
Pushing for More Government Transparency
Viral Impact
Constraints on the Power of Social Media
Recent Developments
9. Journalism Culture with Chinese Characteristics
Organizational Differences
Kunming and China
The Theoretical Framework
Conclusion: Lesso
Biography
Zhaoxi (Josie) Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication at Trinity University, USA