New Books in East Asian Studies John Alekna, "Seeking News, Making China: Information, Technology, and the Emergence of Mass Society" (Stanford UP, 2024)
Apr 9, 2025
John Alekna, Assistant Professor of the History of Science at Peking University, delves into the impact of communication technologies on modern Chinese society. He discusses the historical role of radio, highlighting its influence during critical movements like the May Fourth and the Cultural Revolution. Alekna uncovers how news shaped political geography and social dynamics, emphasizing the importance of diverse voices and experiences. Through a fresh perspective on propaganda and media practices, he illustrates the complex evolution of information flow in China.
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Why Study 1919-1970s China
- The period 1919-1970s captures major political, social, and technological shifts in China beyond traditional historical divides.
- This range lets us study China's transition through warlord eras, imperialism, civil war, and early PRC development.
Accessing Everyday Voices
- John Alekna faced challenges accessing official archives, pushing him to focus on everyday people's experience of news.
- He discovered authentic, unfiltered voices, including farmers criticizing broadcasts as boring.
Understanding the Newscape Concept
- The "newscape" concept captures how news flows through China's geographic, cultural, and technological landscape at a given time.
- It considers natural barriers, infrastructure, and cultural events shaping information access.