Hugo de Burgh

Hugo de Burgh (born 10 June 1949) is a British academic and media specialist, best known as the founder of the China Media Centre at the University of Westminster. He previously directed the Centre for Media Research at Goldsmiths’ College. De Burgh holds the title of State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs Endowment Professor at Tsinghua University, is an honorary fellow of the 48 Group Club, and serves as a board member of the Great Britain–China Centre.

In addition to his academic roles, De Burgh is involved in politics as a member of the Social Democratic Party. He stood as a candidate for the party in the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

Background

Hugo de Burgh began his academic career teaching history at the University of Edinburgh before transitioning to journalism. He worked as an education correspondent and television producer for STV, the BBC, and Channel 4. In 2004, he was appointed Professor of Journalism at the University of Westminster, where he established the China Media Centre.

^Thesis

Hugo de Burgh’s early research focused on the social function of journalism as a reflection of culture. He has stated: “It is often said that journalism is the first rough draft of history; by contrast, investigative journalism provides the first rough draft of legislation.”

In his 2020 work, China’s Media in the Emerging World Order, de Burgh argued that “the way the Chinese media work can be understood as a reflection of culture as much as of political economy.”

Chinese Journalism

Hugo de Burgh has expressed particular interest in the resurgence of investigative journalism in China since 1992. He argues that this development demonstrates how techniques often considered uniquely Western, such as investigative journalism, can also be effective within contrasting political and cultural contexts.

It was a surprise to Western observers to find that the Chinese media (and investigative journalists in particular) are, despite limitations upon them, influencing public life today by introducing new and unconventional ideas, changing terms of reference, forcing the pace of reform, giving voice to concerns and calling attention to issues.

Further reading

• China’s Media in the Emerging World Order, Hugo de Burgh, Milton Keynes: UBP, 2020. [2nd Edition]
• China’s Media Go Global, Hugo de Burgh co-ed with Thussu, Daya and Shi Anbin], London: Routledge, 2018.
• China’s Media in the Emerging World Order, Hugo de Burgh, Milton Keynes: UBP, 2017. [1st Edition]
• China’s Environment and China’s Environment Journalists, Hugo de Burgh co-ed with Zeng Rong, London: Intellect, 2011.
• Investigative Journalism: Context and Practice, Hugo de Burgh ed, London and New York: Routledge, 2008. [2nd Edition]
• Can the Prizes still Glitter? The future of British universities in a changing world, Hugo de Burgh co-ed with Fazackerley, Anna and Black, Jeremy, Milton Keynes: UBP, 2007.
• China: Friend or Foe? , Hugo de Burgh, Cambridge: Icon, 2006.
• Making Journalists: Diverse Models, Global Issues, Hugo de Burgh, London: Routledge, 2005.
• The Chinese Journalist: Mediating information in the world’s most populous country, Hugo de Burgh, London: Routledge, 2003.
• Investigative Journalism: Context and Practice, Hugo de Burgh ed, London and New York: Routledge, 2000. [1st Edition]
• Tiger Hunting by Hugo de Burgh.