Press Self-discipline Under Media Criticism

The paper studies press self-discipline and the related problems in terms of media criticism theory and puts forward a radical and creative concept-press self-discipline under media criticism. As a totally new concept, "press self-discipline under media criticism" indicates a field of research, a theoretical relation as well as a practical strategy.The author holds that press self-discipline and its development in practice are indispensable to the accompanied media criticism in consideration of the development of Western media criticism and press self-discipline. There surely exists internal connection between media criticism and press self-discipline from the historical point of view. The paper theoretically summarizes this connection as the contradictory interaction between restriction and tension, and considers that media criticism and press self-discipline conflict and confront with each other and simultaneously complement and surpass each other. But in practice, the restriction and tension are more often than not attached symbolic significance of assimilation and compromise. So far as journalism is concerned, the symbolic significance is mainly reflected by its crucial strategy of establishing the authoritative status of professional journalists.The paper introduces the practical mechanism of Western press self-discipline under media criticism. By analyzing the different cases in broad sense, the author notices that the mechanism of Western media criticism and press self-discipline may, on one hand, promote the sound progress of journalism and on the other involve in numerous troubles. The awareness of this can benefit us in establishing the mechanism of media criticism and press self-discipline. The paper conclusively points out that a sound and effective mechanism of media criticism and press self-discipline bases on the solution of two problems as follow: firstly, the awareness of self-independence, self-discipline and professionalism should be urgently strengthened. Secondly, the government's regulation of media, public media literacy as well as the external environment for organization development of media criticism and press self-discipline should be improved as soon as possible.