Alliance for China's Independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System officially established

On the afternoon of November 4th, the inauguration ceremony of the "Alliance for China's Independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System" and the "2023 International Journalism and Communication Deans Conference" were held at Renmin University of China (RUC). The forum was jointly organized by the School of Journalism and Communication at RUC, the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, and the Journalism and Communication Professional Committee of the China Association of Higher Education. Experts and scholars from more than 40 institutions, including Peking University, Communication University of China, Fudan University, Jinan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Zhejiang University, Wuhan University, Nanjing University, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology, gathered together to jointly launch the "Alliance for China's Independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System", while engaging in discussions and exchanges around the theme "Practice and Theory: Pathways and Objectives for China's Independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System”.

RUC President Lin Shangli and Vice President Feng Shizheng attended the inauguration ceremony, which was presided over by Zhang Huifeng, Party Secretary of RUC's School of Journalism and Communication.

In his speech, Lin Shangli stated that Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, listed a series of important instructions during the National Conference on Publicity, Ideological and Cultural Work. He emphasized that such work is of extreme importance, as it concerns the future and destiny of the Party, the long-term stability and security of the country, and the cohesiveness and unifying force of the nation. In 2022, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to construct an independent knowledge system during his visit to RUC. These important speeches have put forward new requirements for the discipline construction, knowledge production and talent cultivation in the field of journalism and communication. In order to actively implement the spirit of President Xi Jinping’s instructions, the School of Journalism and Communication at RUC, in collaboration with other sister institutions, has jointly initiated the “Alliance for China’s independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System”, aiming to unite the academic community and promote the construction of China’s independent knowledge journalism and knowledge system.

Lin Shangli hoped that the School of Journalism and Communication at RUC, together with other sister institutions, can build the “Alliance for the China’s independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System” into a hub of knowledge and a platform for innovation, which will promote the in-depth development of research, education, and practice in journalism and communication in China, construct an independent disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system of journalism and communication with Chinese characteristics, and comprehensively address the questions posed by China, the world, the people and the times.

The Proposal of the “Alliance for China’s independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System” was read out at the inauguration ceremony. Lin Shangli, Feng Shizheng and representatives of the founding faculties of the alliance jointly pressed the start button, announcing the official establishment of the “Alliance for China’s independent Journalism and Communication Knowledge System” and opening a new chapter in the construction of China’s independent knowledge journalism and knowledge system.

Full Text of the Proposal:

Strengthening the Alliance

Jointly Building an Autonomous Knowledge System for Journalism and Communication Studies

In the face of unprecedented challenges and opportunities brought about by the major global changes of our time, the field of journalism and communication is confronted with both new challenges and opportunities. On April 25, 2022, during the visit to Renmin University of China, President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, emphasizing that "Accelerating the construction of a Chinese philosophy and social science with Chinese characteristics, is to establish an autonomous Chinese knowledge system." This provides clear guidance for advancing the development of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

To better meet the demands of the times and promote the in-depth development of research, education, and practice in journalism and communication in China, we propose the establishment of the "Chinese Journalism and Communication Autonomous Knowledge System" Academic Alliance, and collectively contribute to the prosperity and development of China's journalism and communication sector.

We advocate the sharing of the latest research findings, teaching resources, and professional experiences among the alliance members. Through joint research and academic exchanges, we aim to foster the autonomous innovation and development of journalism and communication theories with Chinese characteristics. We will actively coordinate and mobilize resources to promote the reform and development of journalism and communication education, contributing to the cultivation of more outstanding talents in research and practice in this field. We call for deep interdisciplinary, inter-field, and cross-industry cooperation among the alliance members, effectively integrating the efforts of the media, government agencies, economic entities, and social organizations to advance the rapid development and optimization of the journalism and communication industry. We advocate for in-depth communication and joint research with the international community of journalism and communication scholars, focusing on issues of shared concern for humanity in the new era. Through academic exchanges, dialogues among scholars, and interactions between intellectuals, we aim to promote Chinese culture’s better integration into the world, facilitating cultural exchange and mutual learning through the power of communication.

The principles adhered to by the alliance are as follows: Uphold the guiding status of Marxist concept of journalism. Take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the compass, and center on the “Dao” (path), governance, and rationale unique to China. Establish an independent academic system, disciplinary system, and discourse system for Chinese journalism and communication studies, featuring distinct Chinese characteristics. Comprehensively respond to the questions raised by China, the world, the people, and the times.

The alliance aims to: Drive the in-depth development of journalism and communication research, promote the sharing of academic resources and information, and comprehensively enhance the research level as well as the establishment of an independent knowledge system. Strengthen the systematization and professionalization of talent cultivation, and nurture a cohort of journalism and communication professionals with a global perspective and innovative capabilities. Facilitate comprehensive collaboration among the academic community, industry, and government within the realm of journalism and communication. Encourage the promotion of theory by practice and the guidance of practice with theory. Furthermore, intensify exchanges and cooperation with the international academic community in journalism and communication to further elevate the international status and influence of Chinese journalism and communication studies.

We sincerely invite all higher education and research institutions, academic entities, and esteemed scholars to actively engage in the establishment of the “Disciplinary Alliance for the Independent Knowledge System of Chinese Journalism and Communication”, contributing to the prosperous development of China’s journalism and communication industry.

Let us work hand in hand, pool our efforts to form an alliance and jointly create a bright future for the discipline of journalism and communication.

Attached is the list of initiating units:

The School of Journalism at Renmin University of China, the Faculty of Journalism and Communication at Communication University of China, the School of Journalism at Fudan University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Jinan University, the College of Media and International Culture at Zhejiang University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University, the School of Journalism and Information Communication at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the School of Media and Communication at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Beijing Normal University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing Normal University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Sun Yat-sen University, and the College of Literature and Journalism at Sichuan University. School of Journalism and Communication, Xiamen University; School of Journalism and Communication, Shandong University; School of Journalism and Communication, Shanghai University; School of Communication, Shenzhen University; School of Media and Communication, Soochow University; School of Journalism, Chongqing University; School of Journalism and Communication, Hebei University; School of Journalism and Communication, Anhui University; School of Journalism and Communication, Zhengzhou University; School of Journalism and Communication, Hunan Normal University; School of Journalism and Communication, Hunan University; School of Journalism and New Media, Xi'an Jiaotong University; Guangming School of Journalism and Communication, China University of Political Science and Law; School of Journalism and Communication, Minzu University of China; School of Journalism and Communication, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. School of International Journalism and Communication at Beijing Foreign Studies University, School of Journalism and Communication at Nankai University, School of New Media and Communication at Tianjin University, School of Journalism and Communication at Tianjin Normal University, School of Journalism and Communication at Beijing Sport University, School of Journalism and Communication at Shanghai International Studies University, School of Journalism and Communication at South China University of Technology, School of Journalism and Communication at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, School of Communication at Fujian Normal University, School of Journalism and Communication at Heilongjiang University. School of Journalism and Communication, Liaoning University; School of Journalism and Communication, Shaanxi Normal University; School of Journalism and Communication, Henan University; School of Journalism and Communication, Southwest University of Political Science and Law; School of Journalism, Yunnan University; School of Journalism and Communication, Xinjiang University; School of Journalism and Communication, Lanzhou University; School of Journalism and Communication, Ningxia University.

翻译：杨斯羽 叶韵雯 洪楚翕 万汝鑫

编辑：万汝鑫 余施颖 毛宇扬 苏与石