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Abstract

Compared to its Western counterpart, China’s media culture has its uniqueness. The relationship between Chinese media and media users presents ‘Chinese style’ characteristics, especially with the rise of participatory journalism online. Based on critical reflections on the agenda-setting theory and existing research work on participatory journalism, this essay proposes three models of participatory journalism in the Chinese context. Depending on the interaction between media agenda and audience agenda, the three models are as follows: (1) the incompatible model, (2) the negotiatory model, and (3) the unconventional model. This essay aims to use these three models to demonstrate the notion of ‘journalism as process’ proposed by Robinson and the significance of the socialization and politicization of audience understanding.

Keywords

Agenda setting audience metrics China journalism as process participatory journalism

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Participatory journalism in the Chinese context: Understanding journalism as process in China’s participatory culture

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