Hugo de Burgh
Encyclopedia
Hugo de Burgh is a British media theorist and academic. Professor de Burgh is Director of the China Media Centre
at the University of Westminster
, which he set up in January 2005 and is unique in Europe
for its focus on studying the world's largest media
system. He earlier ran the Centre for Media Research at Goldsmith's College.
. His most recent book, China: Friend or Foe? was published in 2006. He has been editor, contributor and author of several books. His expertise ranges through international media and investigative journalism
, China's culture industries and policy.
Professor de Burgh works in Chinese, English and Italian. He has earlier worked in French and Turkish.
His 2003 book 'The Chinese Journalist: mediating information in the world's most populous country' exposed the cognitive dissonance of Chinese media workers unable to realise their owwn expectations of their work. It also demonstrated that, far from seeing themselves as Westernizing, media workers were looking to past Chinese experience for inspiration and drawing upon their perceptions of Chinese culture as well as upon the tools of expression provided by the internet.
His current focus on the Chinese culture and creative industries derives from his consultancy work with Chinese media companies seeking to introduce creativity and innovation and to adapt to official Chinese culture industry policy. He is one of the few non Chinese to be working in this dynamic sector and we can expect forthcoming writings to reflect this experience.
China Media Centre
The China Media Centre is a research centre located at the University of Westminster and Europe’s only organisation specializing in the world’s largest media system...
at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
, which he set up in January 2005 and is unique in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
for its focus on studying the world's largest media
Mass media
Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
system. He earlier ran the Centre for Media Research at Goldsmith's College.
Background
Professor de Burgh has extensive experience teaching and writing about the media, especially that of ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. His most recent book, China: Friend or Foe? was published in 2006. He has been editor, contributor and author of several books. His expertise ranges through international media and investigative journalism
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
, China's culture industries and policy.
Professor de Burgh works in Chinese, English and Italian. He has earlier worked in French and Turkish.
Thesis
His original focus is the social function of journalism as a reflection of culture. He is usually quoted as saying ""It is often said that journalism is the first rough draft of history; by contrast, investigative journalism provides the first rough draft of legislation..."His 2003 book 'The Chinese Journalist: mediating information in the world's most populous country' exposed the cognitive dissonance of Chinese media workers unable to realise their owwn expectations of their work. It also demonstrated that, far from seeing themselves as Westernizing, media workers were looking to past Chinese experience for inspiration and drawing upon their perceptions of Chinese culture as well as upon the tools of expression provided by the internet.
His current focus on the Chinese culture and creative industries derives from his consultancy work with Chinese media companies seeking to introduce creativity and innovation and to adapt to official Chinese culture industry policy. He is one of the few non Chinese to be working in this dynamic sector and we can expect forthcoming writings to reflect this experience.
Chinese journalism
Of special interest is the reappearance of investigative journalism in China since 1992. He said this showed that the supposedly western techniques of investigative journalism apply in contrasting political cultures.It was a surprise to Western observers to find that the Chinese media (and investigative journalists in particular) are, despite limitations upon them, influencing public life today by introducing new and unconventional ideas, changing terms of reference, forcing the pace of reform, giving voice to concerns and calling attention to issues.
External links
- China Media Center page at University of Westminster