| Negative-oriented news in the west have caused many social problems including audience cynicism,political apathy,reduced tolerance and sympathetic fatigue,the most intuitive are the weakening credibility and audience alienation of journalism--these could be regarded as representation of the modernity ills in journalism.“Constructive Journalism” as a new journalistic paradigm applies positive psychology techniques into news production while still adhering to core functions of journalism(such as reporting news and guiding public opinion)in order to create fruitful and engaging news.This reflects the philosophy of constructive postmodernism.As a correction and improvement of traditional journalism,constructive journalism has been widely practiced among legacy media including mainstream media such as The New York Times and new media.The direct expression of constructive thought in western journalism can be traced back to Walter Williams' The Journalist's Creed at the beginning of last century.But it has never been dominant.After the journalism professionalism as an ideology among western journalists was established,public interests and social service functions have always been valued.Even though the “Muckraking Movement” and investigative journalism represented by the “Watergate” report produced plenty of negative news,the starting point and final purpose are also based on the social public interests,from which constructive elements could also be found while took a different path from the same destination.“Positive-oriented Publicity” as the guideline for Chinese journalism and publicity work is the combination of Marxist theoretical system,partial western journalismcommunication theories and Chinese traditional culture.It had made a huge contribution during the revolution and development period of China,still and will play an important role.But Chinese positive report has long been stigmatized by western society.Today it not only lacks theoretical innovation,but also has problems such as rigescent report style,anamorphic positive characters and limited effects in practice.In addition,italso has a tension with the public opinion supervision function of meida.In the postmodern era with diverse value,Chinese positive report is in urgent need of change to meet different audiences' needs.With the boom of “post-truth”,mainstream media adhering to journalism professionalism have greatly weakened influence and reputation among audiences.Constructive journalism can be the choice to reshape their authority.In addition,constructive journalism has a lot in common with Chinese positive report.For example,they are both committed to achieving cohesion,boosting morale and even promoting actions through news or report.“Constructiveness” as the commonality of the two can be the ratio of senses for the convergence of Chinese and western journalism,and build a bridge for communication between both sides.On the one hand,western constructive journalism could provide methodological support for the innovation of Chinese positive report.On the other hand,constructive journalism still lacks of sufficient supports from theoretical resources,Chinese “Positive-orientated Report” concept could offer relevant references as well.For the grand vision of constructing the “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” in the era of “New Globalization”,both constructive journalism and Chinese positive report could and should play an active role in it.From the perspective of “Transcultural Political Economy of Communication”,such integration must overcome western centralism and cultural essentialism in the traditional cross-cultural communication,and dialectically absorb constructive journalism on the basis of maintaining the historical and practical characteristics of Chinese journalism.In the end,new theories and practices with local characteristics that dialogue with the world fairly are converged—— "Chinese constructive journalism",an upgraded version of positive report. |
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