On 25th-26th 2013, “Studies on the Communication History in the Global Era” was held in Zhejiang University co-hosted by the College of Media and International Culture, Research Institute for Digital Future and Media Society of Zhejiang University and College of Communication of University of Ohio, and co-sponsored by the Chinese Association for History of Journalism and Mass Communication (CAHJC for short), Research Committee of Foreign Journalism and Communication History of the CAHJC and the Chinese Association of Internet Communication. More than 40 Chinese and American scholars present at the symposium discussed the relationship between the Chinese and American media development and global social transformations as well as the promotion of historical material share and idea exchange in journalism and communication through dialogues.

The four themes: “Theories and Methods of Journalism History Studies”, “Studies on Chinese-American Newspaper History”, “Chinese-American Media Development and Social Transformation” and “Journalism Professionalism and Media Society Construction” attracted a lot of discussions. Several scholars made wonderful keynote speeches, e.g. Robert Stewart, President of the College of Journalism of University of Ohio on “The First Multi-media Journalist in the World: Julien Bryan”; Michael Sweeney, professor from the College of Journalism, Director of the School of Postgraduates of University of Ohio, and Editor-in-chief of Journalism History on “Wars as the Drive of Mass Media Development”, Zhao Yuming, professor of Communication University of China, Honorary Director of the CAHJC, on “Suggestions for Joint Studies on Chinese-American Radio and Television History by Chinese and American scholars”; Wu Tingjun, professor from the College of Journalism and Information of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Deputy Director of the CAHJC on “a Sample of Westernized Chinese Style: Chinese Journalism History from the Perspective of World culture”; Wang Runze, professor of the School of Journalism of Renmin University of China and Deputy Director of the CAHJC on “Historical Peculiarities of Value Ideology of Chinese Journalism”; Shao Zhize, associate professor of the College of Media and International Culture of Zhejiang University on “Between Tradition and Modern: Covertness and Overtness of the Early Editors-in-Chief of Shen Bao”.

The Symposium provided an opportunity and platform for international dialogues on journalism and communication studies in the global era. The studies from comparative perspectives not only enhance our understanding of the development and interactions of Chinese-American journalism and communication, but help deepen the studies on communication.

2014 Chinese-American Journalism and Communication Symposium will be held in America.

(Written by Zhao Lu; translated by Xu Xueying)