Doctoral Student Researches Impact of Social Media on Chinese Sports Journalists

Photo by Heidi Stambuck

Bo Li

Bo Li, a University of Arkansas doctoral student in recreation and sport management, explored the impact of social media on how Chinese sports journalists work in print media and how social media has affected newsgathering. His research is published in a recent edition of the journal Communication & Sport.

Social media is having a profound effect on journalists and how they gather, receive and distribute news, according to the article. What people often do not realize is the difference between social media cultures, Li said.

Li worked in sports journalism for 6½ years before furthering his doctoral studies at the University of Arkansas. He said he wanted to go back to school to learn more about sports journalism. Li researched sports journalism with recreation and sport management faculty members of the College of Education and Health Professions, Sarah Stokowski, assistant professor, and Stephen W. Dittmore, associate professor.

The article, "For Better or for Worse: The Impact of Social Media on Chinese Sports Journalists," published by Li in 2015, reflects how sports journalists are changing the role of gatekeeping. Social media platforms now give the athletes more power to personally connect with their audience and fans.

Li emphasizes the cross-cultural research between American and Chinese social media sites. Weibo and WeChat are two character-based social networking tools most commonly used in China. In Li's study, these sites were compared to Twitter and Facebook for relaying information.

Results showed that journalists in China faced more pressure than Western journalists when interviewing athletes because they felt they needed to monitor information on social media, which increased their workloads. Li's research indicated that athletes are more able to promote themselves on social media where the public can be continuously in contact with them.

"Nowadays, social media basically empowers athletes to promote to the public themselves," said Li.

Li's method of research was an online survey that was distributed to 133 Chinese sports journalists working in print media. Li said this was the best method because it was a particular group being studied.

Sports journalists use various forms of social media as the fastest way to break news but also use it to promote their work. When asked if Chinese sports journalists have to change their style of reporting because of the influence of social media, Li said, "For a journalist, you have to make a decision about balance to protect your job but on the other hand think about the opportunity to make yourself a bigger person."

Li continues to study interpersonal relationships between sports journalists and athletes.