Research On Contemporary Chinese Media Stratification

Because of the rapid development of the media industry in China in these days, the impact of mass media on our society and public is becoming deeper and greater, it seems that media blends more and more well with our social life. On one hand, the development of mass media brings various new phenomena during what the structure of media industry has deeply changed. On the other hand, the development of media industry also has an important influence on the process of society. To a great extent, the growth of mass media did advance human society, however, some times, the close relationship between media and society can cause new types of social problems. It has been a long while for the compound media to play a determinant role in Chinese media history. However, in recent years, the situation is being broken by media stratification. Media stratification can be found in most western countries which have developed media industry. As a result of the development, media stratification can be the road to developing our mass industry.Media ecology is becoming a smart word in the study of Chinese media industry, and the research on it is becoming popular. According to Chinese scholars, media ecology is an area that includes the theories and research methods of different subjects, such as mass communication, sociology, biology and ecology. It concerns about the environment in which media develops as well as the relationship between human and media. Media ecology focuses on the types, structure, function and behavior of media industry. It gives a view for us to learn the historical development of media industry. It should be noticed that the development of media industry is a part of social development. In this sight of view the research of media stratification should study the complex way in which mass media and other social factors interact with each other.This thesis bases on the discussion of the media stratification in Chinese society. It provides a comprehensive, historical based introduction to media stratification, especially in China. Throughout this thesis, we have a discussion of four aspects about media stratification: characters, nature, effects and contemporary trends. This thesis is divided into five sections. In the first, I will give you a description to media stratification and its classification criteria. In the second, I trace specific eras in the development of mediastratification in China. The third section is about the nature of media stratification what is built by two parts: technology and function. In the remaining two sections, I will discuss the influence of media stratification and the new type of social problem caused by it. At last, a rethinking will be given. According to the development of Chinese media industry, I offer a suggestion called democratization of media stratification which I think would be helpful to the development of Chinese media industry in future.