Emerging powers of influence: The rise of the anchor in Chinese television

Abstract

The focus of this study is the perceived influence of TV 'anchors' (presenters) on Chinese television in the past 10 years or so, including the approaches and/or various institutional guidelines and disciplinary measures imposed by government departments and media institutions. Through the case of China Central Television (CCTV) and based on a theoretical framework that draws on the discourse of 'news culture', the study explores the different types of 'anchored' media presented in the genres of news and current affairs, and tracks the rise of four of China's most popular anchors in these genres. Using a combination of discourse, visual and policy analysis, this article illustrates how the p..