As a retired journalist who worked for a Chinese-Canadian media organization for 25 years, I observed that the most efficient way for the CCP to control Chinese-language media is to co-opt the top management of the targeted company. The editorial policy of that medium will then always follow the party line in China.
Here are several tactics of the CCP that are usually used in the local Chinese community.
One is propaganda. In earlier days, short propaganda radio programs prepared by the United Front Work Department were broadcast by radio AM1320 in Vancouver. Such efforts have now been expanded to full-page ads in local Chinese papers to demonstrate massive support for the PRC's draconian policies.
Two is embedding pro-PRC media personnel in various Chinese-language media to speak well of the PRC narratives. They influence Chinese-language media CEOs and editors by inviting them to tea at the Chinese consulate compound and with leverage via advertising dollars.
Three is arousing a distorted sense of nationalism toward the motherland by exploiting selected parts of B.C. history to reinforce ideas of western imperialism, colonialism or racism toward ethnic Chinese.
Four is identity politics. People of a particular race and culture develop political agendas that are based upon these identities. Identity politics is deeply connected with the idea that some groups in society are oppressed, and it begins with the analysis of that oppression.
Five is magnifying the narratives and success of the PRC and propagating the CCP mantra that we are moving into an era of a rising east and declining west.
Six is disinformation. They accuse the west of treating assumptions as facts and of being jealous of China's success to the point of unfair trade practices—like, say, Huawei and TikTok—and of stigmatizing the entire Chinese community with the recent suggestion of a foreign influence registry bill, etc.
Seven is polarizing and dividing the community through a choice of pro-PRC news commentators who will ridicule or reiterate the failures of the west, and through references to the presence of patriots and traitors in the context of Hong Kong.
Eight is assisting during elections by supporting candidates favoured by the PRC and by not interviewing candidates critical of the CCP, like Kenny Chiu.
Nine is establishing the CCP's own Chinese-language media on Canadian soil.
Thank you.