What’s “positive” during Shanghai’s Covid-19 Lockdown? Ideology, Collectivism, and Constructive Journalism in China

Bibliographic Data

ID7498403
AuthorsShiau-Han Chen (0000-0001-7994-1775, Shanghai Polytechnic University, Shanghai, China), Xiang Tian (0000-0002-9077-096X, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume25
Issue7
Pages703-722
Publication date2024-03-25
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-670X • E-ISSN: 1469-9699
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1461670x.2024.2331513
OpenAlexW4393155095
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited48

Positive journalism" is always emphasized in China, which is currently named as "ZhengNengLiang" (literally referring to "positive energy"). Such content is hoped to spread confidence, hope, and optimism. During public crises like the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is particularly highlighted. Since "ZhengNengLiang" is a term that is difficult to match perfectly with any existing concept of journalism, this study investigates its connotations by applying qualitative methods and taking Shanghai's lockdown for the COVID-19 as an example. Adopting grounded theory, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 practitioners of community media were conducted, and 3016 valid subjective questionnaires were collected from audiences. All materials were coded by applying thematic analysis. It is found that content producers tended to emphasize adherence to mainstream ideology, upholding opinion climate in communities, and promoting neighborly mutual assistance. Audiences' understandings of it were partially in line with the producers', but they placed priorities on practicality. These findings resonate with some established theories like constructive journalism. However, China's political system and cultural traditions make the connotations of "ZhengNengLiang" complex. We suggest policymakers provide content producers at grassroots level more room to create "ZhengNengLiang" content with more practical significance

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · China · Collectivism · Constructive · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Ideology · Individualism · Journalism · Media studies · Outbreak · Political science · Politics · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · Sociology · Computer Science · Media Studies and Communication · Medicine · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Social Media and Politics · Internal Medicine · Law · Virology

Tools

Open DOI