Hello, I'm your financial and business news analysis assistant. This article from the WeChat public account "Yikou Laopao" may seem like an emotional rant, but it actually reveals the profound structural changes that are taking place in China's media, public relations, and internet business sectors.
The author, Yang Ding Frank, being the owner of a public relations company, is not just expressing random anger; his criticism is a painful diagnosis of the industry's current state. To help you understand the underlying issues more clearly, I have broken down the article into a core summary and five in-depth analyses.
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📝 Core Content Summary
The main argument of this article is that the traditional dichotomy between institutional media and self-media is outdated. The real crisis lies in the disappearance of the identity advantage and the cognitive gap in the AI era.
The author exposes the truth through three aspects of criticism:
1. Industry Chaos: Some licensed media outlets (especially local news channels) use their licenses to extort money, while self-media, despite being despised, are the main force in content production.
2. Dramatic Shift in Business Logic: The internet has entered the product era, and relying on negative reporting or public relations tactics is no longer effective. Companies now place more emphasis on AI strategies and tangible strengths. Those who are outdated (referred to as "old timers") have become the new label for those who cannot keep up with the times.
3. Career Advice for Media Professionals: If media professionals do not have a strong passion for journalism, they should consider transitioning to work in public relations or business, as the media industry no longer offers the promise of both fame and fortune, and it can easily lead to a sense of vanity.
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🔍 In-depth Analyses: Five Detailed Explanations
1. Licenses Are No Longer a Shield, but a Tool for Rent-seeking
[Plain Language Explanation]: In the past, having a license meant prestige; now, it has become a pretext for extortion.**
The most chilling part of the article is not the criticism of self-media but the exposure of the corrupt behavior of some licensed outlets.
- Phenomenon: Many struggling local licensed media outlets no longer rely on quality journalism but use their licenses to make money. They often threaten to publish negative reports, and companies, to avoid trouble, are forced to pay (for example, a 100,000 yuan "silence fee" as mentioned in the article).
- Logic: Media once had the power to influence public opinion, which companies feared. Now, this power has been misused. Since self-media lack licenses and face greater legal risks, companies are less intimidated by them. Meanwhile, licensed media may produce poor-quality content (or even use AI to churn out articles), but they still have the "legal right" to harm others.
- Consequences: This has led to a situation where inferior content displaces better-quality journalism. Skilled journalists are leaving, leaving only those who use licenses for illicit gains. For companies, this is a real nightmare because such harm is legal and difficult to reverse (original reports are often cited by subsequent articles and AI-powered content).
2. The Degrading Relationship Between Institutions and Self-media Reflects the Anxiety of Established Interests
[Plain Language Explanation]: Established media look down on self-media because they see them as a threat to their livelihoods and because they themselves are becoming obsolete.
The conversation in the German hotel mentioned at the beginning of the article is a typical example of this mindset.
- Mindset Analysis: Traditional media still maintain an elite mentality, viewing self-media as unemployable and a transitional phase. This arrogance stems from their former monopoly.
- Reality: Almost all capable individuals have left traditional media, leaving behind those who cannot adapt to market competition and lack creative content.
- Essence: It's not about status but about content productivity. Although self-media is chaotic, it has spurred more efficient and personalized content distribution. If traditional media continue to reject the value of self-media, their so-called "righteous path" will only narrow. This "Ah Q mentality" (denigrating others when one is incompetent) is a typical defense mechanism in a declining industry.
3. The New Definition of "Old Timers": The Cognitive Divide in the AI Era
[Plain Language Explanation]: In the past, "old timers" referred to those who were old and outdated; now, they are those who do not understand AI or keep up with the times.
This is the most forward-looking point in the article. The author notes that the meaning of "old timer" has changed in the tech industry.
- Old Definition: Older, conservative, and outdated in thinking.
- New Definition: Those with a superficial understanding of AI, resistant to new technologies, and with outdated business models.
- Evidence:
- Shein's listing: It shows that traditional internet models no longer command high valuations; the market values supply chains and efficiency more.
- Media Invitations: Tech companies now invite new, technology-savvy media for AI launches, not traditional internet media, indicating a shift in influence from "traffic media" to "technology/product media."
- Public Relations Tactics: Negative reporting no longer affects companies; users value product quality. No matter how much negative content is spread, if the product is poor, it won't attract customers. Conversely, positive content won't help if the product is bad.
- Conclusion: In this era, knowledge of AI is the new entry ticket. Those who still use old-fashioned methods (relying on connections, hype, or licenses) will be labeled as "old timers" and eventually eliminated by the market.
4. Hypocrites and Real Scoundrels: The Importance of Integrity in Business
[Plain Language Explanation: Companies or individuals who say one thing and do another are the most despicable and dangerous.
The author spends a lot of space criticizing hypocrites, highlighting the issue of business integrity and values.
- Phenomenon: Some companies (such as the one mentioned in the article) preach positivity, humility, and hard work but use underhanded tactics like hiring trolls and launching saturation attacks.
- Harm: This duplicitous behavior not only deceives partners (like public relations agencies and media) but also undermines the industry's trust. Young journalists are easily misled by these fake images, as entrepreneurs know well what media wants to hear.
- Lesson: In an era of increasing transparency (thanks to AI), false images are hard to maintain. The true nature of a company is revealed by what its employees do, not what its leaders say. For professionals, staying away from such people and companies is crucial for career longevity.
5. The Career Crossroads for Media Professionals: Let Go of Vanity and Find Practicality
[Plain Language Explanation: Being a journalist can be intoxicating, but working in business helps one become more grounded and gain real skills.
This is the author's advice for young media professionals:
- Traps in the Media Industry:
- Halo Effect: The journalist identity can create an illusion of superiority, leading to vanity and arrogance.
Income Limitations: Unless you are a top journalist, most media professionals earn little and struggle for significant achievements.
Limited Skills: Working with clients often gives a sense of entitlement and lacks the ability to solve complex business problems.
- Advantages of Moving to Business: You'll realize that clients (bosses, customers) are not as formidable as imagined, and you'll transition from being treated with deference to being a service provider. This transformation fosters maturity.
Skill Development: In business, you need to understand business, data, AI, and practical execution—skills that the media industry does not provide.
Career Growth: Many media professionals in their mid-30s find new vitality in business, turning their sensitivity into valuable insights.
Warning Against Starting a Business: The author advises against starting a business, especially in self-media, as it involves harsh market competition. Those who once supported you may turn against you, and the shock can be devastating.
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💡 Lessons for Everyone
1. Don't Blindly Trust Established Entities: Whether in media or other industries, having a license or title does not guarantee moral integrity or professional competence. Focus on actual output and reputation.
2. Embrace AI and Reject Outdated Thinking: No matter your industry, consider how AI can transform your work. If you still rely on connections, hype, or information disparities, you may be on the path to being eliminated.
3. Be wary of False Images: In business partnerships, observe what someone does, not just what they say. Those who don't match their words are highly risky.
4. Choose a Practical Career Path: If you lack a strong passion for journalism or academia, consider entering a practical field or a core business department to acquire transferable skills (data analysis, project management, AI applications). This is safer and more promising than remaining in the media industry.
Although this article is emotional, it serves as a mirror reflecting the hidden realities of China's media and business ecosystems. Understanding these changes is essential for finding a stable foundation in an uncertain time.