Modern News Commentary Studies

Author: Hu Wenlong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 2, 1997
Features: Since the 1980s, China's higher journalism education has developed rapidly. The number of specialized programs has increased from fewer than 10 to over 60, and the annual enrollment has expanded from dozens to more than 4,000. Master's and doctoral programs have been established, and self-study examinations have been initiated. The development of this textbook series is designed to adapt to this flourishing situation and contribute to the continued advancement of higher journalism education in China. The contributors to this series come from different institutions and represent various age groups, including experienced, middle-aged, and young educators, all of whom are leading instructors on the teaching front. With years of accumulated experience and research achievements, they have a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge needs of journalism professionals. Therefore, we place great emphasis on the foundational nature of this textbook series, which covers the essential knowledge of journalism in all its aspects. It is both comprehensive and systematic, making it convenient for instructors and easy for students to grasp. When this textbook series is introduced to readers, it is already the later years of the 20th century, and its use and influence should span the century. Thus, we have paid attention to its forward-looking nature in the writing process, striving to scientifically analyze the development trends of fundamental knowledge while appropriately citing and reviewing foreign materials. This will help readers face the future and broaden their perspectives.
Journalism and communication are fundamental and important aspects of modern social life. As early as the 1920s, the renowned Chinese journalist, scholar, and professor Shao Biaoping proposed: "Journalism knowledge should be one of the common knowledge for citizens of a nation."① This visionary insight has gradually become a reality. In China, the popularization of journalism knowledge has become quite widespread and is still improving. This textbook series should serve the goals of popularization and enhancement of journalism knowledge, meeting the needs of both college students in journalism departments and those interested in self-study or training for journalism positions. For this reason, we have focused on its general applicability. In reviewing the knowledge, we have combined systematic theoretical analysis with illustrative examples, providing both an overview and in-depth case studies. Guided by Marxism, we emphasize the knowledge-based, forward-looking, and general applicability of this textbook series. Each volume, however, has its own unique characteristics, with distinct frameworks, material usage, perspectives, and writing styles.
Each contributor has treated the writing process as one of summarizing experience, researching knowledge, and engaging in creative work, basing their efforts on personal insights and achievements. They have carefully referred to similar textbooks and works, striving to ensure that each volume reflects the appropriate level of contemporary Chinese journalism education and research. What we offer to readers is not only a series of journalism textbooks but also a series of specialized journalism monographs. Our thoughts and writings may have imperfections, and as journalism education and research progress, the content will need to be regularly updated and enriched. We sincerely hope that readers will provide criticism and suggestions to help perfect this series.