China’s media industry is undergoing major changes, with a focus on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
By June 2024, the country had nearly 1.1 billion Internet users, representing a penetration rate of 78%, according to the 54th China Statistical Report on Internet Development.
A report by the All China Journalists Association (ACJA) indicates that China has 3,606 online news service units offering 14,228 licensed services, including websites, apps and public accounts. In 2023, print media recorded 26.01 billion copies of print newspapers, with a subscription value of 35.57 billion yuan. The newspaper publishing industry employed 184,000 people in 2023, marking its third consecutive year of growth.
In the broader media sector, more than one million people worked in radio, television and online audio-visual services.
The integration of AI has transformed news production, allowing for real-time reporting, automated content creation and audience engagement. Generative AI, in particular, has become an essential part of media operations, with the market for AI applications expected to reach 20 billion yuan in 2024 and more than 1 trillion yuan by 2030.
Media outlets are increasingly using AI tools to collaborate across film, TV and music.
The value of China’s media production reached 3.15 trillion yuan in 2023, reflecting a growth of 8.38% year on year. Newspaper revenues totaled 61.66 billion yuan, driven by advertising, distribution and digital operations.
The radio, television and online audio-visual sectors generated revenues of more than 1,412.608 billion yuan, an increase of 13.74% over the previous year.
By October 2024, China had 230,585 accredited journalists. Much of it focuses on popular reporting, ethical journalism, and public oversight.
ACJA has supported journalists by disbursing 25.15 million yuan over the past decade to those facing injury, illness or death on the job. It also published 580 reports on social media responsibility in 2024.
China’s media industry continues to incorporate technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to improve content creation, distribution, and audience engagement. With a focus on workforce development and ethical practices, it is shaping its future in the changing global media landscape.