Selected Works of Li Liangrong (Exploration of News Reform)

Author: Li Liangrong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Journalism and communication studies are emerging disciplines among the many branches of humanities and social sciences. In China, the study of journalism has a history of nearly a century, while the attention and extensive research on communication have also spanned nearly three decades. Thanks to the efforts of journalism and communication scholars, Chinese journalism and communication studies have transformed from being dismissed by some industry professionals as a "vain discipline" to becoming a "prestigious field." In the national academic discipline catalog, it has evolved from a secondary discipline under Chinese language and literature to an independent first-level discipline. The more than two decades following the reform and opening-up have been a period of rapid development for Chinese journalism and communication studies. Research in journalism theory, journalism history, journalistic law, journalistic ethics, radio and television, and public opinion supervision has been comprehensively expanded. The study of journalism theory has also shifted from purely party newspaper theory to general journalism theory. The study of communication has permeated externally with sociology, psychology, anthropology, law, and economics, and internally with journalism, achieving significant growth. Research on fundamental theories of communication, critical theory of communication, as well as the study of communication and public opinion, semiotics, and other fields have garnered attention. The study of new media and media economics has also emerged as a hot topic. Journalism and communication studies have entered a stage of integration with other humanities and social sciences, marked by multi-angle academic development. The current prosperity and growth of Chinese journalism and communication studies are the result of the hard work and dedication of several generations of scholars. From the early 20th century to the present, the field of Chinese journalism and communication studies has passed the torch, with each generation leading the way for several years. Among them, the outstanding figures are considered masters and have contributed to the prosperity and development of Chinese journalism and communication studies. The authors included in this series of "self-selected works" are the new generation of "masters" of Chinese journalism and communication studies who emerged after the reform and opening-up. Most of them come from universities or other teaching and research positions, are leading figures in contemporary journalism and communication studies in a particular aspect, are experts in their fields, and are renowned scholars in the field of journalism and communication studies. Compared to their predecessors, this generation of "masters" possesses the following characteristics: (1) A solid foundation in humanities theory; (2) A reasonably comprehensive knowledge structure; (3) Necessary knowledge of cutting-edge disciplines; (4) Active minds, unbound by tradition, and not confined to their own cocoons; (5) Having been tempered by the reform and opening-up and nurtured by the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, with a broad academic perspective. They are a generation of innovators and those who surpass their predecessors. It is a good publishing idea to have the "masters" of journalism and communication studies compile "self-selected works." First, all the works are by "masters." As "masters," they provide a certain guarantee of quality, avoiding the confusion or misjudgment that can arise when selecting from the vast number of newly published specialized works. Second, all the works are "self-selected." As "self-selected," the works must be personal selections that the authors believe are timeless classics. They will not lead to waste or mislead readers and students, and they can significantly reduce the financial burden on readers and students. This will be highly beneficial for society, academia, and cultural development. I congratulate the publication of this series of "Self-Selected Works by Masters of Journalism and Communication Studies" and believe it will certainly attract the attention and welcome of journalism and communication scholars and students both at home and abroad. Fang Hanqi, February 19, 2004, Beijing Yiyuan