Chinese journalists turned YouTubers: cases from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Professional Chinese journalists from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan are adapting to journalism's digital transformation by migrating to YouTube and navigating algorithmic platforms. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Qiaoke Sun

doi:10.1080/01292986.2026.2725551

August 28, 2026Asian Journal of Communication

Chinese journalists turned YouTubers: cases from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

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Key Points

To examine how professional journalists from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan negotiate journalistic values, audience demands, and algorithmic mechanisms when transitioning to independent YouTube creators.
Comparative qualitative case study analyzing independent digital channels established by former mainstream media journalists across three regional contexts.
Analysis of content production strategies, channel monetization models, and algorithmic adaptation practices.
Journalists-turned-creators navigate conflicting demands between traditional editorial standards and algorithmic pressures favoring engaging, high-frequency video output.
Regional sociopolitical constraints and digital censorship directly influence content differentiation, audience targeting, and revenue diversification across platforms.

Implication

Qualitative case study reveals shifting professional practices among Chinese journalists on YouTube, highlighting adaptations to algorithmic distribution.

Abstract

Journalism’s digital transformation has become one of the most prominent trends in media research today. Most of the academic research on professional journalists and their encounters with the algo...

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Cite This Study

Qiaoke Sun (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f0b06c1a8fb52e79d0df https://doi.org/10.1080/01292986.2026.2725551

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Chinese journalists turned YouTubers: cases from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Chinese journalists turned YouTubers: cases from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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