This thesis explores censorship and self-censorship in online news production in China. It presents an analysis drawn from observation in the online newsroom and interviews with online news workers and cyber police officers in China. In addition, it studies the mechanisms of online censorship and protocols of news censorship in an online newsroom context. This involves an analysis of journalistic activities in the process of online news production, self-censorship of online news workers, and power flows between the Chinese authorities and online news media in determining the output of online news content. Although the Chinese “free press” is enshrined in the Constitution of The People’s Republic of China as a right, the mechanism of online news censorship is shaped under the influence of an anti-liberal theory of limited freedom of speech. Confucius, the proclaimer of this theory, devalues individual liberty, advocating the ‘right to speak’ is a benefaction of the ruling class, and this “freedom” can be compromised for the welfare of the state. It is a view shared by Confucius’ successors. This theory, therefore, conceptually sets up a distinctive paternalistic protocol of online news censorship in China, as the online news workers are instructed to censor and self-censor online content under the influence of administrative interference. Through thematic analysis of field notes, which covers a four-week period of observation and recording in the online newsroom of Wenzhou News, a local online news organisation in China, the hierarchical structure and general workflow in this online newsroom are illustrated. By further analysing interviews conducted with online journalists, editors, web administrators and cyber police officers, this thesis draws on the perspectives of online news workers and censors towards the protocol of online news censorship, through which the power matrix between the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, and online news media are triangulated. By analysing and constructing technological and social modes of censorship in the online environment, this thesis sets up a conceptual framework of the protocols of online news censorship in China, draws detailed processes of online news production under the pressure of censorship, and explores the concept of “harmonisation” within the online newsroom where specific ideological motivations and structural operationalisation influence the output of online news content.

The media plays a crucial role in framing social issues, and it decides whether and how these issues become social problems of wider public concern. This study offers a detailed analysis of this process with regard to the reporting of issues related to migrant workers over the last two decades in Chinese evening newspapers. Using data from evening newspapers in Jinan, a combination of quantitative and qualitative content analysis, and discourse analysis are used to explore how these representations have changed. The findings show that, contrary to the previous studies which found that representations of migrant workers in the Chinese evening newspapers tended to be mainly negative, portrayals of migrant workers, in reality, are more dynamic and complex. Actually, positive reports about migrant workers have dominated some evening newspapers. Using a large number of interviews with senior management staff and journalists, this study also illuminates the reasons for the changing representations of migrant workers in the evening newspapers, which are the result of the interaction of politics, market forces and professional practice of Chinese journalists.

This study focuses on digital transition in the Chinese newspaper industry and on associated changes in management and business practice at newspaper publishers. Drawing on a case study analysis of two leading metropolitan newspaper companies – the Qianjiang News Chain and the Nandu News Chain, it sets out to investigate how newspaper publishers are adjusting their management strategies and production practices to adapt to technological changes and ensure their survival. It also examines to what extent the changes are in line with the relevant government policies. Looking specifically at electronic retailing and online marketing operated by the two publishers respectively, this dissertation will address three questions. How the strategic management of newspaper companies in China is changing to facilitate the operation of new businesses in the Internet era. How content production related to the new businesses is changing in response to digital transition and the integration of editorial and commercial activities. To what extent the altered practices of newspaper companies are either consistent or conflicting with the requirement of related government policies. Findings of the empirical analysis are in three aspects. Firstly, in order to facilitate the operation of new businesses, the strategic management of QNC and NNC are changing in three aspects: corporate expansion, organisational re-structuring and cultural adaption. Secondly, the production activities of QNC and NNC are simultaneously affected by the practices of digitisation and commercialisation, which is reflected by the special content products – promotional articles. Lastly, with the changes of organisational activities, the industry practices of QNC and NNC are consistent to the inclination of certain state policies on the one hand, and conflict with some established government regulations on the other. In summary, the practice of new business in QNC and NNC is the miniature of the transition in the Chinese newspaper industry, which inherits the features formed in the decade of evolvement. Meanwhile, as the two publishers are pioneers in the Chinese newspaper industry, their practices lead the trend of novel exploration in the future.