SFGate.com, the website of the San Francisco Chronicle, has an article today about Chinese language newspapers in the Bay Area. The whole article is here. It includes a review of the different newspapers, summarized below:
Ming Pao
Circulation: 25,000
History: Founded by a Chinese martial arts novelist in 1959, Ming Pao is now a dominant institution with a network of newspapers, magazines, and book publications. Intellectually engaged, it takes stands against China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Reader Demographic: Immigrants from Hong Kong and mainland China
Wednesday’s Headlines:Democratic Party afraid Bush will continue for another 4 years
Sing Tao Daily
Circulation: 130,000
History: Founded in 1938 in Hong Kong by Aw Boon Haw, who made his fortune in medicinal rub Tiger Balm. The newspaper opened its first international office in San Francisco in 1975. The newspaper is now part of the Global China Group, whose Chairman Charles Ho hails from a wealthy Shanghai family that fled to Hong Kong after the Communist revolution. The entrepreneur has since cultivated contacts on the mainland. Its editorial stand is ambiguous in issues related to China, Taiwan, the United States and Hong Kong.
Reader Demographic: Immigrants from Hong Kong and mainland China
Wednesday’s Headlines:Business Channel denied firing Cheng Ging Han. The hope to hear his broadcast is diminished. (refers to fired radio host)
World Journal
Circulation: 65,000
History:Owner T.W. Wang, who died in 1996, was a longtime Kuomintang, or Nationalist powerhouse in Taiwan. U.S. edition started in 1976, as part of Taiwan’s United Daily News Group, a global media conglomerate founded in 1951.
Reader demographic: Taiwan and mainland China
Wednesday’s Headlines: In order to prevent terrorism the Olympic Committee started a Missile defense system
China Times
Circulation: 30,000
History: Founded in 1924 in San Francisco, by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, it claims to be the longest running Chinese language newspaper in the United States. Purchased by Sing Tao and re-launched in March 2004. News focused on Chinatown family associations and other local events.
Reader Demographic: Old-timers in San Francisco’s Chinatown
Wednesday’s Headlines: Rumors that Hop Wo association withdrew from its Double 10 Parade
International Daily News
Circulation: 30,000
History: Founded in 1981, the paper was sold in 1995 to Ted Sioeng, an Indonesia-born Chinese who supports the mainland government. International Daily News includes sections from mainland China and Hong Kong newspapers that are pro-mainland, and has minimal local news.
Reader Demographic: Mainland China
Wednesday’s Headlines: Democratic Party passes party policies during its convention
China Press
Circulation: Not available
History: Founded in 1990 in New York, its San Francisco office two years later. Has news and commentaries from mainland China with minimal local Chinese American news.