Since reform and opening-up, research achievements have been made in journalism and communication. However, a rational theoretical system has not been formed and further academic research is needed for many essential theoretical issues. It is therefore necessary to discuss how to deepen research in basic theory.

Question consciousness

In recent years, scholars have called for intensifying the study of the basic theory of journalism and communication, especially intensifying the construction of the theoretical system of journalism and communication. In fact, many basic theoretical problems have not been resolved. For example, with journalism and communication being the first-level discipline, what are the relations between the two second-level disciplines the journalism and the communication? Is the basic theory of journalism and communication made up of journalism theory and communication theory, or is it a unified theory of journalism and communication? In such a case, it may be difficult to establish an acknowledged theoretical system of journalism and communication in a short time. To date, the construction of the theoretical system of journalism and communication has been an induction of various theories only from the perspective of disciplinary knowledge.

This induction is beneficial to inheritance of knowledge, but cannot lead to the increase of knowledge. The increase of knowledge begins with solving problems. Therefore, question consciousness should be intensified in a bid to deepen the study of the basic theory of journalism and communication.

Currently, journalism and communication are faced with unprecedented opportunities and challenges due to booming information technologies, such as the Internet, social media and big data. Journalism and communication have to answer questions such as which traditional theories need amending, what traditional concepts need renewing and how traditional media integrate with new media.

Tradition and innovation

The internal logic of academic research should be followed to deepen the study of the basic theory of journalism and communication. Studies of any theoretical issue must be rooted in a certain research tradition and conceptual system and conducted based on existing research achievements.

Academic research should be distinguished from expressing opinions when dealing with theoretical issues. Anybody can express his or her opinion in today's transformation of dissemination patterns. However, even right opinions are not conducive to accumulation of knowledge or the development of science. Academic research is a valuable theoretical exploration based on abiding by certain academic norms.

Academic norms are rich in connotation. Seen from the internal logic of knowledge growth, the most important norms include two aspects: research should be done with the aim of academic innovation and based on research tradition.

According to Austrian-British philosopher Sir Karl Popper, all increase of knowledge depends on the amendment of former knowledge; it must be either changed or abandoned on a significant scale. Popper thought that knowledge never starts from nothing but originates from some knowledge then taken for granted. Real academic innovation is therefore always based on tradition in research.

Meanwhile，we should make further monographic research on important theories, study the development course, theoretical value and practical significance of various theories, absorb their theoretical quintessence and clarify their errors and limitations. For example, monographic studies, such as the press theory of Marxism, journalistic professionalism, agenda-setting theory, political economy of communications, media ecology and citizen journalism are essential academic skills for deepening the study of the basic theory of journalism and communication.

Only by broadening academic vision, learning from relevant achievements of humanities and social sciences, seeking efficient research framework and theoretical resources and carrying out research in a proper academic pattern can we achieve innovative achievements and promote the progress of journalism and communication.

Domestic academics in global vision

We should deal with not only the relations between research tradition and academic innovation but also the relations between global vision and domestic academics in the process of deepening the study of the basic theory of journalism and communication.

Modern news dissemination came into being in Western countries and so did journalism and communication. China's journalism and communication has developed based on foreign theories. The first work of journalism in China is Xinwenxue (Journalism）written by Xu Baohuang, who finished it by absorbing Western materials. Research in communication was brought in after reform and opening-up. China's Party newspapers also developed by bringing in Lenin's theory of Party newspapers and Marx and Engles' newspaper thoughts. We have made some achievements, but we have established few unique theories. For example, though we have formed Chinese-style theories and practice such as typical reporting, positive publicity and news of people's livelihoods in the field of journalism and communication, they are not so easily understood and acceped by the world.

Over the past decade, localization of communication has become an academic appeal from many scholars. This has reflected their anxiety about the lack of independent theoretical innovation. In fact, if we transform Western theories into China's, we are apt to test Western theories with Chinese practice. If we only research China's existing communication experience and research tradition, we cannot have dialogue with Western theories. Thus, we may analyze and deal with problems in China's practice of journalism and communication by learning from Western theoretical achievements, and establish theories with Chinese characteristics.

We should research the historical development and innovative practice of Western journalism and communication industry, and meanwhile innovate and perfect our study of the basic theory of journalism and communication. On one hand, we should strive to create new theories based on China's reality. On the other hand, we should grasp essential elements of the existing theories at home and abroad and discard the unscientific ones, laying solid academic foundation for creating new theories.

The author is dean of the School of Journalism and Communication of Chongqing University.

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 642, September 3, 2014.

The Chinese link: http://sscp.cssn.cn/xkpd/xwcbx_20157/201409/t20140903_1314479.html

　Translated by Yu Hui

　　Revised by Tom Fearon