Translating the news in China: the evolution of Reference News and its future in a digital news landscape. Issue 1 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chase, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Media international Australia. Number 168:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 140
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: China -- Chinese newspapers -- mobile digital news -- news media digitalisation -- news translation -- Reference News; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Australia -- Periodicals; Communication -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Cultural policy -- Periodicals; Médias -- Aspect social -- Périodiques; Médias -- Australie -- Périodiques; Communication -- Australie -- Périodiques; Massamedia; Communication; Cultural policy; Mass media; Mass media -- Social aspects; Australia; Periodicals; 302.23
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X18768076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1324-5325

Abstract

Reference News is a prominent, Mainland Chinese newspaper that, for many decades, has translated and published foreign language news reports for its sizable readership. Over the course of its long history, both as a result of government directives and in response to the changing nature of Chinese society, the newspaper has undergone successive transformations. This study charts these changes, documenting Reference News ' earlier roles as intra-party intelligence bulletin and as a tool of ideological inculcation before analysing the newspaper's later struggles to adapt to a pluralised and commercialised media market. This article argues that the more recent challenges posed by the increasing popularity of digital sources of news information has meant that despite a robust strategy designed to embrace the opportunities of the digital era, the future of Reference News as a successful and influential publisher in the digital realm is by no means certain.