Media Security Theory: Mass Media And Non-traditional Security Research

In 21st century, security is becoming one of the most significant issues in the process of globalization. Non-traditional security begins to focus on human security, whose development goes beyond the territory of traditional national security, political security and military security. Especially after the 911 terrorist attack in 2001, non-traditional security has been attached great importance to by countries all over the world, of which the main content is fighting against terrorism and realizing environmental security. This dissertation aims to analyze the function of mass media in non-traditional security as the most important human communication means.In view of the current function of security, this dissertation put forward the theory of media security. Media security is defined as non-traditional security to fighting against terrorism, panic and fear by means of mass media, which could be divided into three dimensions including national security, public security and group security. Security serves as the modern function of mass media, and in turn, mass media have the function of making the society more secured. This dissertation makes a cross-disciplinary study on security and non-traditional security from the perspective of philosophy, politics, sociology and international studies. It analyzes comprehensive communication studies ranging from Lasswell, Lipperman, Schramme to Altheide, which covers various communication series including Agenda setting, Silence Screw, Cultivation and Framing, making an organized analysis of the significance of non-traditional security in communication, especially in mass-media.According to the "distinctive function" and "invisible function" of mass media by Murton, it proposes that the security function is invisibly hidden among the traditional four functions (Surveillance, Coordination, Education and Entertainment). This dissertation makes the security function distinctive. Further more, security, as the modern function, is independent from the traditional ones.In the light of the theory put forward that security is a kind of speech act by Copenhagen School, this dissertation demonstrates that the function of media security is a kind of media security discourse. On this basis, it proposes a mathematical model of media security, which suggests that media security is a kind of dynamic security between media panic and media aphasia. This dissertation analyzes 1151 questionnaires with Chinese college students and 122 American college students, making comparison of the difference in the characteristics of media security in China and USA.In the last part, it proposals the strategies and suggestions on how to develop and improve media security in China.