The Nanjing National Government was an autocratic government. Unlike other powerful totalitarian political organizations, it was a weak centralized government. Under the control of such a vulnerable regime, the newspaper publishing companies belonging to the ruling party received absolute priority in resource acquisition; for example, these companies were granted generous subsidy funds, the right to interview government personnel, and advertising resources. However, the private and commercial newspapers still had considerable space for development. Therefore, the growth and development of newspapers varied during the first decade of the Nanjing National Government. Newspapers could intervene in the government’s decisions and affect policies; this function was effective during the first ten years, which demonstrates the brilliance of scholar-run newspapers. Newspapers and journalists obtained some press freedom by engaging in difficult battles against the authorities; they employed various approaches to resist government censorship, and some people even sacrificed their lives. All of these factors vitalized journalism.