Chai Jing, a pioneering Chinese journalist, has found a new platform on YouTube with a program that has become one of the most popular overseas Chinese-language news productions, delving into China’s recent history and tackling sensitive topics.
Chai Jing, a 49-year-old television reporter who was once at the pinnacle of Chinese news, has resurfaced on YouTube with a program that has become one of the most popular overseas Chinese-language news productions.
Chai Jing is a Chinese journalist and investigative reporter.
Born in 1976, she gained prominence for her documentary 'Shen Zhong' (The Real China), but rose to international attention with her documentary film, although it was not hers, however, 'Shen Zhong' led to the investigation into the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Her investigative reporting on the earthquake exposed widespread corruption and cover-up by local officials.
The Evolution of a Journalist
In 2023, Chai returned to journalism after leaving China’s state broadcaster, CCTV, eight years ago. She began by posting six-part documentaries on terrorism and later launched a biweekly show. Despite YouTube being blocked in China, her channel has garnered over 850,000 subscribers.
Chai’s program delves deep into China’s recent history, featuring guests who would be considered too controversial for state broadcasters. Her interviews have resonated with today’s political landscape in China, tackling sensitive topics such as the mafia crackdown in Chongqing municipality and the lack of reflection on former Premier Bo Xilai’s populist mobilization of judicial power.
A Growing Cohort of Intellectuals
Chai is part of a growing cohort of public intellectuals who have left China in recent years. Many have become more outspoken on public affairs as the space for independent voices at home wanes. Chai’s show has elevated the quality of Chinese-language news content on YouTube, which was previously dominated by political hearsay and armchair analysis.
A Personal Touch to Professional Journalism
“she has added a personal touch to professional journalism”, Fang Kecheng, an assistant professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, notes that Chai has. Her show strikes a chord back home, even as popular platforms have deleted videos repackaging her program.
The Return of a Journalist with a Mission
Chai’s return coincides with growing restrictions in China. She felt compelled to act when a string of obituaries produced by Caixin Media vanished from its website at the end of 2023. Chai created a 24-minute memorial episode on “Dr. Gao Yaojie, an AIDS epidemic whistleblower who had passed away that year”, which quickly reached over half a million views.
A Commitment to Truth and Humanitarianism
For Chai, journalism is not just about reporting facts but also about reliving the experiences of those she interviews. “it’s more demanding than a full-time job, requiring her to try and relive what those people have gone through”, she says.
Chai Jing’s return to YouTube has marked a pivotal moment in Chinese journalism, demonstrating the power of independent voices and the importance of humanizing complex issues. Her commitment to truth and humanitarianism continues to inspire audiences from China and beyond.
