Metro Newspaper Journalists in China

<p>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.</p> <p>1. Introduction to "Heaven and Hell" </p><p>Purpose of the Study</p><p>Why Metro Newspaper Journalists? </p><p>Why Journalism Culture? </p><p>Structure of the Book</p><p>Note on Field Research</p><p>2. The Rise of Metro Newspapers and Metro Papers In Kunming</p><p>The Rise of Metro Papers</p><p>Metro Papers in Kunming</p><p>New Players: the Internet and Social Media</p><p>3. All the Buzz in the Kunming Newsrooms</p><p>Tipsters, BBS and eBikes</p><p>General Assignment vs. Beat Reporters</p><p>Getting Paid</p><p>Cigarettes, Air and Food</p><p>4. Aspirations: Ideals of the Journalists</p><p>Monitoring Power</p><p>Upholding Social Justice</p><p>Making a Difference</p><p><b>5. Frustrations: Realities of Daily Work</b> </p><p>Obstructions to and Troubles from Reporting</p><p>Story Bans</p><p>The Red Line</p><p>Business Pressure</p><p>King without Crown vs. Migrant Worker of News</p><p>Frustrated, Disappointed and Conflicted</p><p><b>6. Reconciliations: Compromises in Practice</b> </p><p>Helping People While Doing Journalism</p><p>Sense of Achievement</p><p>Learning to Compromise</p><p>Undercover Reporting</p><p><b>7. Journalism Culture in Context: Global Influence, Social Conflict and Epidemic Mistrust </b></p><p>Global Influence</p><p>Social Conflict</p><p>The Pandemic of Mistrust</p><p><b>8. Social Media Impact</b> </p><p>Weibo’s Impact on Journalism amid the Wenzhou Train Collision</p><p>New Source of Information</p><p>Expanding the Range of Discourse</p><p>Defying Censorship</p><p>Pushing for More Government Transparency</p><p>Viral Impact</p><p>Constraints on the Power of Social Media</p><p>Recent Developments</p><p><b>9. Journalism Culture with Chinese Characteristics </b></p><p>Organizational Differences</p><p>Kunming and China</p><p>The Theoretical Framework</p><p>Conclusion: Lessons Learned on Studying Journalism Culture</p><p>Journalism Culture at Kunming Metro Papers</p><p>Lessons Learned</p><p>Future Studies</p>