Party and government-run newspapers
and magazines will be forced to commercialize or face closure under
major reforms.
According to detailed rules issued
by the State Press and Publication Administration recently, some
papers will be closed down, annexed or?merged into other
newspaper groups, while others will become free information
circulars.
Yu Guoming, a scholar with Renmin University of
China, was quoted by Caijing Magazine as saying the
decision to turn newspapers and magazines into businesses means the
law will recognize capital invested in the media.
As a result of the planned economy, a number of newspapers and
magazines run by Party branches and government departments are
financially supported by administrative orders that increase their
circulation.
"These newspapers and magazines have proven burdensome for people
who subscribe only because of administrative orders, and fostered
corruption, too," said Tang Xujun, a scholar in press with the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
If less than half of the readers of a newspaper or magazine pay for
the publication out of their own pockets, it will face closure next
year.
"This standard helps us to judge whether the newspaper or magazine
has the ability to survive in the market," said Tang, who
researched newspaper groups' operation and management.
As the state administration takes control over newspapers and
magazines in China, clearing out unprofitable publications will
make way for those with more vitality, he said.
State administration statistics show there were 2,137 newspapers in
China last year, but newspapers relying on administrative orders
for subscribers accounted for 40 percent of the total, said
Tang.
"The implementation of the detailed rules may affect at least 200
newspapers and magazines," he said.
Hunan
Province in Central China has already drafted a plan for
handling 56 newspapers and magazines considered unprofitable.
(China Daily August 5, 2003)