Challenges and Opportunities for Diaspora Chinese Media Content Creation and Distribution

Amidst a significant increase in migration from China post-pandemic, media content production and distribution encounter opportunities and challenges in catering to the diasporic Chinese audience. Diasporic Chinese media, while primarily focusing on a China-centric agenda, often find themselves in a dilemma when juxtaposing local affairs with those of the audience's homeland. Despite the absence of censorship abroad, it is questionable whether the diasporic media could have enhanced the quality of Chinese-language content. Based on my professional experience leading a Chinese podcast company over the past five years and ongoing consultation work for diaspora Chinese media in setting up audio businesses from London, I discuss how the traditional production paradigms of diaspora Chinese media are challenged when there is an increasing desire among diaspora Chinese to engage in content creation for self-expression, rather than merely being consumers. I also envision how podcasting could contribute to a more engaging, locally-based Chinese diasporic media landscape.