As US newspaper groups declare bankruptcy and some fold due
to the economic recession and web competition, the printed newspaper continues
to thrive in Asia. The World Press Trends 2008 by World
Association of Newspapers reports that eight of the world's top ten daily
newspapers with the highest circulation are printed in Asia,
and the largest newspaper markets are Japan,
China, and India.
According to a Time article, some media expansion in Asia
corresponds with the fall of dictators as readers appreciate a freer press
devoid of government propaganda. For example, Indonesia
has seen a tremendous rise in the number of newspapers after the deposition of
President Suharto in 1998. Though state censorship still exists in China,
a press revolution is in progress as the central government reduces state
subsidies for newspapers, creating a free-market that forces editors to print
stories that sell.
Traditionally, newspaper coverage – from Japan or around the world – has been focused on the United States and Europe. But now Japanese media are becoming increasingly involved in the world’s next big thing, China.
