All-China Journalists Association
The All-China Journalists Association was established on November 8, 1937, originally as the Chinese Young Journalists Association (中國青年記者協會), founded by wartime reporter Fan Changjiang (范長江) in Shanghai during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Operating as “a national people’s organization of the Chinese press under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,” the organization claims to represent over one million journalism professionals through 217 member organizations. The ACJA serves primarily to implement party media policies rather than protecting press freedom, with its constitution explicitly stating it “serves as a bridge between the Party, the Chinese government and the press.” The organization plays a central role in China’s media diplomacy through initiatives like the Belt and Road News Network, launched in 2017 to cultivate relationships with journalists from Global South countries, with the ACJA working closely with the CCP’s United Front Work Department to manage outreach to international journalists. While presenting itself as a professional association that “safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of journalists,” independent analysis notes that the ACJA’s primary function remains ensuring media compliance with party directives through mechanisms including mandatory training in “Marxist View of Journalism” rather than defending journalistic independence.
