China's Top News Journalism

Author: Fang Hanqi / Li Chu, Editors-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: China's news and communication activities have a long history, from ancient fire signals, oracle bone inscriptions, and stone inscriptions to Han Dynasty's lùbù, Tang and Song Dynasty's dìbào, and even today's newspapers, radio, television, and the internet. It has been a magnificent and dynamic development. Chinese journalism, since its inception in the early 20th century, has also gone through over 80 years of journey. Over these 80 years, it has evolved from nothing to something, from small to large, from a single linear experience to a multidisciplinary comprehensive overview, and has become a flourishing garden in the social sciences. "Different perspectives yield different views." Facing this unique landscape, no matter from which angle or level we observe, we will have different feelings and gains. The purpose of compiling this book is to explore this diverse and lush scene with the readers, providing a multi-level, concise overview and a bird's-eye view. However, as everyone knows, whether speaking or writing, if one wants to make comments or say "generally how," or discuss "some how," it is relatively convenient and safe. Because any thing has general and individual examples, no matter how one comments, it will not cause controversy. But if one were to say a "" or comment on the, or speak of the, or discuss the, because it concerns the whole and all, then immediately someone would come out to compare, someone to verify, someone to question, and someone to challenge, even to fight for justice. Therefore, those who establish arguments are like climbers who view Mount Everest as a daunting challenge, respecting it from a distance and daring not to speak a single "}". Even when they have to speak, they mostly act as if they are looking left and right, or use "maybe" or "perhaps" as a shield, lightly glossing over it to avoid trouble. But our book is named after a "", focuses on a "", and discusses a "}". The difficulty and risk are self-evident. Yes, this topic, for ourselves, is knowingly laborious and unprofitable, yet we insist on taking the challenge; for our collaborators, it is knowingly a mountain with tigers, yet they still head towards it. Indeed, our purpose in avoiding difficulties and climbing is not to make a show of it, to aim too high, or to elevate ourselves and lead the trend. We chose this "" as the title of the book because the articles included mostly cover media, events, figures, and theories in the history of Chinese journalism that have some pioneering significance or major impact and are worthy of being called "." These are treasures that Chinese journalism cannot and should not forget, and we should record these treasures in the history of Chinese journalism. We chose this "" as a topic because we are moved by the vastness and richness of the Chinese journalism garden, which is diverse and dazzling, leaving visitors overwhelmed and unable to take it all in. For those who visit for the first time, it is undoubtedly the most efficient and convenient way to compile the key points, highlights, and features into a collection, allowing them to choose what to read. We chose this "" as the subject of our work because it has great inspirational significance. Have you not seen the Yellow River flowing from the heavens, never to return? Looking back at the history of Chinese journalism, how many newspapers, anecdotes, figures, and theories have emerged over the centuries, but like sifting through the sands of the river, most have been eliminated and forgotten, leaving only the "" to be remembered. The purpose of compiling this book is not only to collect and remember the "treasures" that have left their mark in the history of Chinese journalism but also to reflect on the lessons they teach. However, once the "" is mentioned, we cannot help but feel uneasy. Because to speak of a "" requires a comprehensive comparison and analysis. Yet, the data people possess is limited, and their perspectives are not without blind spots, which makes it inevitable that when assessing the whole, they may overlook details, and when summarizing, they may omit things. This is the first issue. Although we have reviewed a lot of materials, we still cannot avoid the regret of overlooking and missing things. We sincerely hope that new discoverers and insightful readers will not hesitate to make revisions to this book. The second issue is that with the passage of time and changes in quality and style, the "" in journalism is even more so. This is particularly evident in describing the contemporary situation. The ancients said, "Each generation produces talents who lead the trend for hundreds of years." But in the "information explosion" era, journalism is changing by the minute, ever-evolving. For example, the equipment, scale, distribution, and influence of media—how can one always speak of a ""? Perhaps yesterday's "" is today's average, and tomorrow's average may rise to prominence and take the lead. Therefore, if the temporal and spatial boundaries of the "" are not set correctly, it will lead to errors. Although we have made many comparisons, mistakes are inevitable. We sincerely hope that more precise analyses can be made to correct the book appropriately; we also hope that our time will produce more rising stars to break and update the records in this book, writing more "" in Chinese journalism. The third issue is that people's perceptions and understandings of things differ, and so do their evaluations. This is particularly evident in terms of the degree of feeling and the evaluation of value. For example, the term " important media" and the claim of " profound impact" on any subject are unlikely to receive unanimous approval. Therefore, once the "" is mentioned, without sufficient evidence and reason, it will inevitably be laughed at by the public. Although we have strived to be cautious and impartial in our writing and consulted thirty-plus experts and scholars from relevant research institutions and mainstream media across the country for revision suggestions during the compilation process, this book can at most be considered the "opinion of the editorial committee." The Concept of Chinese Journalism's is innovative in its design and on a grand scale. Based on an overview of the history of Chinese journalism, it compiles media, programs, events, cases, figures, works, theories, schools, systems, and facilities that have pioneering significance or major impact and are worthy of being called "," blending knowledge, academia, and readability into one. It can be said that with this book in hand, one can read the highlights of Chinese journalism from ancient to modern times. Chinese news and communication activities have a long history, from ancient fire signals, oracle bone inscriptions, and stone inscriptions to Han Dynasty's lùbù, Tang and Song Dynasty's dìbào, and even today's newspapers, radio, television, and the internet, which have been dynamic and magnificent. Chinese journalism research has also gone through over 80 years since the early 20th century, producing many excellent works. But describing the development trajectory and achievements of Chinese journalism in the form of "" is still . The book includes over 1,000 entries, totaling about 1 million words, and the entire compilation and proofreading process took nearly two years, making it one of the most notable compilation projects and achievements in Chinese journalism since the founding of the country. A large-scale, concise summary of the history and glorious achievements of Chinese journalism—The Concept of Chinese Journalism's —has recently launched its compilation project. The book is supervised by Shao Huazze, Chairman of the China Journalists Association and Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, and Fang Hanqi, President of the China Journalism History Society, Professor at Renmin University of China, and Doctoral Supervisor. Renmin University of China and other universities have participated in the compilation with multiple doctoral and master's students and some experts from the capital's news industry. According to Fang Hanqi, the Supervising Editor and Chief Editor of the book, The Concept of Chinese Journalism's is grand in scale and innovative in concept. Based on a review of the history of Chinese journalism over 2,000 years, it compiles the outlines of media, programs, events, cases, figures, works, theories, schools, systems, and facilities that have pioneering significance or major impact and are worthy of being called "," with a planned collection of over 800 entries and about 800,000 words.