Beijing: A Chinese Professor of Communication has justified the country's strict media laws and regulations, asserting that these measures have contributed significantly to building and sustaining a stable society. Professor Zhang Yanqiu emphasized that the Asian economic giant has advanced a national identity while protecting societal norms and values by ensuring the media remains accountable to the people.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Zhang, who is the Director of the Africa Communication Research Centre at the Communication University of China (CUC), delivered a lecture titled 'Constructive Journalism for Global Development Communication' in Beijing. During her presentation, she juxtaposed China's media landscape and development trends with societies that have unlimited media freedom. She argued that studies indicate China's model is superior in promoting national interests, socio-economic development, and good governance.
Prof. Zhang highlighted that the media should encourage solution-focused journalism rather than solely revolving around negative and conflict-based stories. She explained that constructive journalism provides more context to stories, enhancing the intelligence of news consumers. By promoting a comprehensive portrayal of issues, constructive journalism offers a more balanced view, as opposed to focusing solely on conflicts and problems.
Referencing Roland Schatz, a scholar known for his work on media effects, Prof. Zhang quoted his assertion that negativity in journalism creates fear and ignorance, which is detrimental to the press, the public, politics, business, and the future. She pointed out that this negativity is prevalent in newspapers, magazines, and TV news broadcasters across the western world.
In China, the media landscape is governed by a comprehensive framework of laws and regulations that maintain state control over information dissemination. These laws aim to safeguard national security, promote social stability, and enforce ideological conformity, ensuring that the information presented aligns with the government's political agenda and cultural values.
Prof. Zhang also addressed the growing trend of citizen journalism, cautioning that it could lead to the spread of false news and misinformation. She noted instances where individuals lacking expertise in certain technical and critical issues disseminate news, which she argued is not in society's best interest. Emphasizing the media's sensitive role in national development and social cohesion, she stressed the importance of responsibility in news dissemination.
