Kerala Union of Working Journalists

China urged to let media flourish

Media mogil Rupert Murdoch appealed to China’s leaders, saying that the country could become a centre for the industry to rival the United States and Britain. “The potential of the open market doesn’t represent any loss of power,” Mr Murdoch said, in a speech at the communist party school according to a text released by his company, News Corp. It said
his audience included Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Cabinet ministers and other senior officials. China has some of the world’s tightest media controls.

Broadcasters and newspapers are state-owned and supervised by propaganda officials and foreign media companies have struggled to get a share of the market. “China has the potential not only to follow the examples of the US and the UK, but to improve upon those examples and
achieve a level of success all its own,” Mr Murdoch said. Such a speech by a foreign capitalist at the top school for party officials once would have been unthinkable. But as the party tries to keep pace with a rapidly changing economy and society, it has invited a string of foreign
politicians, business leaders and academics to address its students. Mr Murdoch’s speech comes as News Corp. tries to expand its influence in Asia, especially China. His company’s Star TV is shown in hotels and apartment buildings for foreigners in China.
Source: http://www.ap.org/pages/indnews/#anchor7 – AP

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