Modern Press And Modernization

By tracing Liang Qichao's journalistic activities(1896-1907),this article attempts to examine the outstanding contributions Chinese modern press made to the process of modernization of Chinese people in the special period between the end of the 19^th Century and the beginning of the 20^th Century and to outline the evolution of three newspapers concerning the issue of "modernization of Chinese people".Using "mass communication and the modernization of human beings" as framework,the article means to analyze the logical evolution of the issue of "the modernization of human beings" illustrated in the three most influential newspapers and periodicals,Shi Wu Bao,Qing Yi Bao and Xin Min Cong Bao,chiefly edited by the well-known reformer Liang Qichao.The research showes that "the modernization of human beings" ran like a thread through all the three journals,which had so much in common that Shi Wu Bao did the initiation and built up a base,which was passed on to and strengthened in Qing Yi Bao,the predecessor of Xin Min Cong Bao,where Liang Qichao's initial ideas and theories were given full play.Shi Wu Bao in the Wuxu Reform period attached much importance to "increase the wisdom of statesmen and struggle for self-independence" to arouse the attention of public opinion.Qing Yi Bao,immersed in the Japan civil rights movement,not only helped to "understand the current state of affairs" and "emphasize national humiliation",but also intended to "advocate civil rights" and "nourish people's intelligence".Xin Min Cong Bao went a step further by inheriting the foundation laid by Shi Wu Bao and adopting the goals of Qing Yi Bao like "advocate civil rights" and "nourish people's intelligence",and what's worth mentioning is that it even proposed the brand-new eye-catching slogan of "the new citizen" which was beneficial to later generations.As for the specific content of this article,the emphasis is on the interaction between Chinese modern press and the modernization of human beings,as reflected in the frame and structure of this article."The modernization of human beings" had different expressions in different periods. From "nourish people's intelligence" to "cultivate people's strength" to "renew people's morality", the full development of personality is completed.In the view of Shi Wu Bao,what was urgent was to cultivate the ethos of modern society and enlighten the wisdom of officials.As an overseas forum,Qing Yi Bao aimed to inspire "the awe of the citizens".The main concern of Xin Min Cong Bao is to fashion "the new citizen" of both traditional and modern airs.In Chapter One,an attempt is made to trace the origins of "the modernization of human beings" and the specific index, and to explore the relationship between mass communication and "the modernization of human beings" as well.Chapter Two examines the efforts Shi Wu Bao made towards "the modernization of human beings" by citing the editorials and opinions,translated materials and feminist discourse published on Shi Wu Bao.Chapter Three analyzes the follow-up of "the modernization of human beings" by discussing the editorials and opinions and the characteristic dialogues carried on Qing Yi Bao.Chapter Four and Chapter Five intends to make an analysis of the further development of "the modernization of human beings" on Xin Min Cong Bao.As an encyclopaedia-like journal, Xin Min Cong Bao took on a new look as a result of the constant evolution based on Shi Wu Bao and Qing Yi Bao and the incorporation of Japanese experiences after Meiji Reform.This article uses the social scientific research methods,namely the combination of qualitative research and text analysis.