In a continuation of its world domination, China Central Television, which produces the ruling Communist party’s news shows and other propaganda, is planning to broadcast English-language programming from the heart of the US capital of Washington DC. It has also built a studio facility in Nairobi, and plans to open a broadcasting centre in Europe too.

China Central Television, otherwise known as CCTV, intends to start broadcasting from the Washington studio by the middle of 2012, and will produce up to six hours of original programming a day.

CCTV itself has not made any official remarks, but a source said:

They have a very ambitious plan to increase distribution of their English language channel. But they don’t want to go public with their plans until they’re ready.

They’re looking for a face to represent the channel too, and already have more than 10 000 square meters on New York Avenue, around the corner from Bloomberg.

The ruling Communist party feels China has a negative image in the Western media, and this could be the reason for the expansion.

Journalism professor at Jinan University, Dong Tiance:

Our past practice of strongly emphasising our achievements maybe didn’t yield ideal results.

The big four Western news agencies dominate about 80 per cent of the news flow, and if China wants to strengthen its soft power it must speak through its own media.

The strengthening of international broadcasting allows the world to understand us more thoroughly and increases our influence.

Already available in some parts of the US, and other parts of the world too, CCTV is certainly looking to branch out to new areas.

[Source: CNN]