Foreign media professionals breaking ground in China with new opportunities
- Source: Global Times
- [22:50 January 18 2010]
- Comments
Radio host Mark Griffiths.
As China's position in the world economy changes and the rate of opening-up continues to increase, many foreign media professionals are attracted by job opportunities in China's media industry.
Edwin Maher, a veteran news anchor and weather presenter with Australia's national broadcaster ABC, was the first foreign news presenter to work for China Central Television International (CCTV9) in 2004.
Maher has since been awarded China's National Friendship Award, an honor for foreigners who have made significant contributions to the development of Chinese society.
A controversial article by the LA Times in 2007 labeled Maher a "sellout" and "government mouthpiece," to his defence, Maher stated in an interview with CCTV9 at the time that as a news anchor, the bottom line of his job is to read the news reports he is given as clearly as possible and that that applies equally whether he works for ABC in Australia, or CCTV in China.
Mark Griffiths is another experienced journalist who relocated from the UK to China 18 months ago.
An expert in classical music and previously a presenter on London-based Classic FM, he now hosts one of the top-rated classical music radio shows in China.
Griffiths said that he decided to join China Radio International (CRI) in 2008 as a way of combining his job with his interests in history, contemporary politics and adventure. "When CRI asked me to join their English language Olympic Broadcasting Team in March 2008 I just couldn't say no," he said.
On October 1, Griffiths became the first foreigner to broadcast live commentary of China's 60th anniversary military pageant in Tian'anmen Square.
"It's a moment that made an impact," Griffiths exclaimed. "It was such an honour to be asked to take part in an event which is so important to the Chinese people."
Griffiths has also been sent on special assignments all over China, including the Huaxi model village in Jiangsu Province.
