Journalist-Source Relations The case of Taiwan correspondents in China

• Published in: Journalism studies (London, England) Vol. 16; no. 6; pp. 850 - 867
• Main Authors: Xiaoxuan Cheng, Daisy, Lee, Francis L. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 02-11-2015
• Subjects: China; foreign correspondents; homophily versus heterophily; Journalists; News media; news sources; Social network analysis; strong versus weak ties; Taiwan; Taiwan journalists
• ISSN: 1461-670X; 1469-9699
• DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2014.947146

This article examines the news work of Taiwan correspondents in mainland China, focusing particularly on the issue of journalist-source relations. Drawing upon the concepts of tie strength and homophily from social network analysis, this article argues that strong and heterophilous ties play a crucial role for foreign correspondents working within a context where news information does not always flow freely. Data from in-depth interviews and a supplementary survey show that different types of source ties offer different types of information to the Taiwan correspondents. The analysis illustrates how strong ties with Chinese officials and correspondents from other countries allow Taiwan journalists to obtain the news information and clues that are of the highest value, i.e., information and clues about exclusive and/or sensitive stories. The Taiwan correspondents established such strong ties through long-term interactions and instrumental exchange. Implications of the findings for understanding the work of foreign correspondents are discussed.