China’s graft-hit broadcaster signals change as it names engineer as chief
Tradition of journalists at helm of CCTV ends as computer engineer Nie Chenxi takes up post
China has broken with tradition by appointing a computer engineer rather than a veteran media professional to head the state's television broadcaster, which has been plagued by graft scandals since President Xi Jinping began his corruption crackdown.
Nie Chenxi, the new president of China Central Television (CCTV), will also retain his portfolio as the government media regulator's No2.
The broadcaster had been led by journalists for almost 30 years.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) said on Tuesday that Hu Zhanfan, 61, president for more than three years, had retired.
Several CCTV producers and reporters have been detained by graft investigators over the past few years, including former deputy president Li Dongsheng, a close associate of disgraced security tsar Zhou Yongkang, Guo Zhenxi, a former CCTV financial news channel director, and Rui Chenggang, a presenter.