Tong Bing Selected Works: News Science: Observation and Reflection (Selected Works of Famous Scholars in Journalism and Communication)

Author: Tong Bing
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, the discipline in China has transformed from being dismissed by some industry professionals as a "vain discipline" to being recognized as a "prestigious field." In the national discipline catalog, it has evolved from being a secondary discipline subordinate to Chinese language and literature to becoming an independent first-level discipline. The more than two decades following the reform and opening-up have been a period of rapid development for journalism and communication studies in China. Research in journalism theory, journalism history, journalistic law, journalistic ethics, broadcasting and public opinion supervision has been comprehensively expanded. The study of journalism theory has also shifted from purely theoretical research on party newspapers to encompassing general journalism theory. The study of communication has permeated externally with sociology, psychology, anthropology, law, and economics, and internally with journalism, achieving significant progress. Research on fundamental theories of communication, critical theory in communication, as well as the study of communication and public opinion, semiotics, and other fields have garnered widespread 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, characterized 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 journalism and communication studies in China has carried on the torch, with each generation leading the way for several years. Among them, the outstanding figures are all renowned scholars who 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 "renowned scholars" 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, and are experts with extensive knowledge, renowned in the field. Compared to their predecessors, this generation of "renowned scholars" possesses the following characteristics: (1) A solid foundation in humanities theory; (2) A reasonable and comprehensive knowledge structure; (3) Up-to-date knowledge of disciplinary frontiers; (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 broad academic perspectives. They are a generation of pioneers and innovators, and also one that surpasses its predecessors. It is a great publishing idea to have "renowned scholars" in journalism and communication studies compile "self-selected works." First, all the works are by "renowned scholars." As they are by "renowned scholars," there is a certain guarantee of quality, avoiding the confusion or misjudgment that might arise from selecting among the vast number of newly published specialized works. Second, all the works are "self-selected." As they are "self-selected," the selected works must be personal treasures that the authors believe can endure for generations. There will be no waste of resources or harm to students, and it will also significantly reduce the financial burden on readers and scholars. This will be highly beneficial for society, academia, and cultural development. I congratulate the publication of this series of "Self-Selected Works by Renowned Scholars in Journalism and Communication Studies" and believe it will certainly attract the attention and acclaim of journalism and communication scholars and students both in China and abroad.