32. What are the global media strategies of authoritarian states?

In the last episode, we looked at the continuing need for public service media that is international and independent, providing fact-based news and information to audiences around the globe. And one major challenge came through: the competition from the international media organisations of authoritarian states, namely Russia and China.  In this episode, we hone in on China's media strategy overseas. We hear from an academic who has studied China's media strategy in the Pacific, where CCTV and China Radio International are butting up against ABC International and RNZ Pacific, while Chinese embassies are also investing heavily in local media & journalists. We consider what benefits the Chinese state is looking to get from these moves, in the Pacific, and elsewhere. And we also speak to both ABC International and RNZ Pacific about what impact it's having on them.  Presenter: Harry Lock. Guests: Dr Denghua Zhang (ANU), Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor (RNZ Pacific), Claire Gorman (ABC International), Beverly Ochieng (Control Risks). Music: Tom Brazier, Rachel Still, Lucas Thompson.