Chinese Influencer Shares 'Meaningful' Reporting Techniques with ASEAN Trainees

During a significant international training session on "New Media to Drive High-Quality Industrial Development for ASEAN Countries," held on September 19, 2026, in Beijing, China, Ms. Li Fangni, a prominent social media influencer and multi-disciplinary expert, shared her extensive experience and knowledge in the field of journalism in the digital era. With over 14 years of experience in on-air broadcasting, both domestically and internationally, and having served at numerous major international news organizations including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, and Fox Sports, Ms. Li Fangni focused her entire presentation on the principle: "Stop reporting the event. Start reporting the meaning." This serves as a call for a shift in perspective within the field of journalism. The expert, who also holds a Ph.D. in Sports Science and is a member of a research team at the School of International Communications at the Communication University of China (CUC), clearly explained the difference between the two methodologies: 1. Reporting the Event: This traditional method focuses solely on the question, "What happened?" While the information may be factual and complete, Ms. Li emphasized that it lacks reader engagement and is often considered "forgettable" news. As a result, this type of news might not attract readers beyond the headline. 2. Reporting the Meaning: This is the effective perspective that highly professional journalists must adopt. This type of reporting answers the question, "Why does it matter?" It requires journalists to connect events to the human stake, making the news more meaningful, emotionally resonant, and captivating to audiences of all demographics. Through Ms. Li Fangni's presentation, trainees from ASEAN countries received a crucial reminder that journalism is not merely a technical job of relaying information. Its true goal is to create and integrate narratives that provide context, highlight issues, and offer solutions, thereby helping society understand the world more clearly and fostering broader public understanding and participation. Ms. Li added that this transformation is key to the future of high-quality journalism in the region. This training session was sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China, coordinated by the National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA), and organized by China Broadcasting International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. (CBIC).