Network mainstream media formed in China

With four years' effort the construction of 8 key central media websites and 24 local media websites has successfully transformed the disordered state of network news communication in China. These websites have grown to be the network "mainstream media" that dominate online press opinions.

Cai Mingzhao, deputy director of the Information Office of the State Council, made the above remarks at the 4th Forum on Network Media of China held Monday in Nanchang of Jiangxi province. According to the data provided by the Information Office China's key news websites release 24,000 new pieces of news covering more than 50 million person-times in China on a daily basis. Since 2001 key central news website have had their Pageview increased by an average of 12 percent each month. The Pageview of some key local news websites has increased 9 times in average over the last three years. Several key news websites have entered the global top 100 list such as Xinhuanet.com, People's Daily Online (peopledaily.com.cn), CCTV International and Qianlong.com.

Cai Mingzhao said the reason these key news websites can achieve leapfrog development comes from the authoritativeness and influence accumulated for decades by the traditional mainstream media they depend on as well as the funds, talents and news resources they receive from them.

"Now an Internet media system has basically formed with key central news websites as its main body, which can combine the advantages of both central and local key news websites and give play to the positive role of main commercial websites." Min Dahong, fellow researcher at the Institute of Journalism and Communication of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, believes the communication influence, social status, political recognition and capability to report major events displayed by them prove the indisputable fact that key news websites are the network "mainstream media".

Since the Internet was open to the public in 1994 it was first used in the news communication field. However news communication on the Internet was once in a state of disorder. In order to regulate press opinions on the Internet the Chinese government has since 2000 listed Xinhuanet.com, People's Daily Online, China.org.cn, ChinaDaily.com.cn, CCTV International, China Youth On Line and China Economic Net as key central news websites and 24 as local key news websites.

By People's Daily Online