The theoretical path of constructive journalism and practical experience in China

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the stages of the formation of constructive journalism in the world and the practical implementation of this concept using evidence from modern Chinese media discourse. The study examined two theoretical approaches to constructive news: one based on positive psychology and the other on Buddhist philosophy. The Chinese journalism community was the first to pay attention to constructive news in terms of the supervision of public opinion. Based on the study of the official WeChat account of Xinhua News Agency, particularly the topics, genre specificity, emotional colouring, and formal indicators of news, the patterns of Chinese constructive journalism were identified. The rule of law, cultural life and education, health, and travelling were identified as the main themes. The emotional colouring of news reports is most often positive and neutral. It is worth noting the genre diversity: news, news bulletins, news essays, newsletters, investigative reports, and diversity in terms of formal indicators: “text only”, “text + image”, “image only”, “text + video + image”. It was found that the purpose of constructive journalism reporting in China coincides with the government’s public order goals. The concept of Chinese constructive journalism was reflected in the following aspects: using positive psychology to stimulate the vitality of news reports for social development, creating positive narrative strategy, improving news management, and promoting moral values. In the future, this study can be used to analyse patterns of social behaviour, illuminate media literacy, and study national media practices