Media Interactivity in China. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis of China’s English-Language Media

The Chinese cybersphere is one of the world’s most active online spaces. On one hand, there are traditional mainstream media outlets, which are part of the State or either subject to commercial market needs. On the other hand, social media platforms have arisen: there, users are empowered, and they even allow journalism without the need for journalistic organizations. Using content analysis, we examined the interactive features of 20 English-language media located in mainland China. We found that the media incorporated more options related to usability or promotion through social media than user-generated content. Through hierarchical cluster analysis, we identified a new typology for understanding the roles adopted by the selected media: we observed a distinctive category of online information organizations—source-oriented media. Such media do not attempt to establish user communities: their target is consultation and shared social media platforms.