This paper explores how government-controlled Chinese media subtly favors domestic industries by revealing systematic bias against foreign automakers during auto recall coverage.

• Data & Methods: Examines subnational reporting patterns using data from Chinese newspapers and analyzes regional variation in government interest in the automobile industry.

• Key Findings: Demonstrates that this home bias is driven by protectionist interests rather than simply reflecting reader nationalist sentiment.

• Consumer Impact: Shows how media coverage of recalls influences actual consumer purchase decisions, combining automobile sales data with information on recall-related web searches.

The findings suggest government interest in the industry shapes media narratives despite trade regime constraints.