On July 4, 2020, the first national "Qing Mei Forum" was successfully held, which was jointly sponsored by School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China, School of Journalism and Communication of Anhui University, School of Journalism and Communication of Nanjing University, College of Media and International Culture of Zhejiang University, and School of communication and Design of Sun Yat-Sen University. Nearly 1600 teachers and students participated in the forum through Tencent conference platform online.

At the opening ceremony of the forum, Professor Hu Baijing, executive director of School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China, delivered an opening speech. He wished the students attending the forum “would shine like pearls at such pearly age ". Professor Hu also pointed out that “Qing Mei Forum" was an ideal academic platform that we were looking forward to, that, “We hope through this academic forum for young people, we can pay homage to youth, and pay homage to the academy of youth.” The purpose of the forum is to find excellent papers, discover outstanding young talents, and strive to build an "academic exhibition integrating production and marketing". Then all participants took a group photo online.

Professor Hu Baijing, executive director of School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China

Opening Speech

“Qing Mei Forum” of the first postgraduate of journalism and communication

Group photo of participants

The forum was divided into four sessions according to the theme. The first session, with the theme of “Identity Expression and Group Identity", was presided over by Professor Wei Lu, Dean of School of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University. Professor Liu Hailong (Professor of School of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China and editor in chief of Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication) and Professor Li Yanhong (School of Communication and Design, Sun Yat-Sen University) served as judges.

After the five students presented their reports, Professor Li Yanhong put forward suggestions for revising the first three papers from three aspects: the importance and openness of research questions, the research design and theoretical framework, and the collection and analysis of methods and materials. Focusing on the papers of the last two students, Professor Liu Hailong pointed out that in order to explore the general research problems, some unique exploration should be carried out according to the characteristics of the research object.

The first session "Identity Expression and Group Identity"

Group photo of guests and authors

The second session, with the theme of "Media Theory: Exploration and Reflection", was presided over by Professor Zhang Zhian, Dean of School of Communication and Design, Sun Yat-Sen University. Professor Liu Peng (editor in chief of journalist) and Professor Liu Yong (vice president of School of Journalism and Communication of Anhui University) served as judges.

After five students presented their reports, Professor Liu Yong made a detailed comment and brought the issue of "in and out theory research". He pointed out that "in" theory should further research the root and context of the theory and made a comprehensive analysis, while "out" theory should pay attention to the current situation and the applicability of the theory. Professor Liu Peng affirmed the students' reading of the classic works of journalism and communication, and suggested that "avoid doing research of countermeasures, which will damage the academic quality of the paper".

The second session "Media Theory: Exploration and Reflection"

Group photo of guests and authors

The third session, with the theme of "Technology Platform and Social Landscape", was presided over by Professor Jiang Hong, dean of School of Journalism and Communication of Anhui University. And Professor Sui Yan (dean of School of Journalism of Communication University of China, chief editor of Modern Media) and Liu Yusi (associate professor of School of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University) served as judges.

After five students presented their reports, Professor Sui Yan put forward suggestions of revision on the research methods, paths and objects around "Modernity". He believed that, unlike "absolute truth" in natural science, "truth is relative" in social science. And Associate Professor Liu Yusi proposed three common problems in the research according to the students' report: the applicability of theory, the paradigm and methodologies of theoretical Orientation and the selection of analysis unit.

The third session "Technology Platform and Social Landscape"

Group photo of guests and authors

The fourth session, with the theme of "News Field: Theory and Practice", was presided over by Professor Zhang Hongjun, executive director of School of Journalism and communication, Nanjing University. Zhu Chunyang (professor of Journalism School of Fudan University and executive deputy editor in chief of Journalism Bimonthly) and Bian Donglei (associate professor of Journalism and Communication School of Nanjing University) served as the judges.

Associate Professor Bian Donglei pointed out that students should not be trapped into mediocre norms, but should still in the stage of learning norms. It was a long-term problem about how to use theories and how to use them in papers. Professor Zhu Chunyang quoted "learning without thinking is useless, thinking without learning is dangerous" to remind students to learn how to deal with the relationship between reading and thinking, and proposed to be brave in putting forward their own views and choose materials “centered on me”. In addition, he emphasized the cautious use of concepts to maintain the consistency of research paradigms, and to avoid wavering among various paradigms.

The fourth session " News Field: Theory and Practice"

Group photo of guests and authors

Subsequently, Professor Zhou Yong (Secretary of Party Committee, School of Journalism, Renmin University of China) announced the recommended papers of this forum.

Best papers:

Zhang Wenjuan, Institute of Communication Studies, Communication University of China

The Possibility and Significance of "Bottom" Digital Survival: Based on the Observation of Laid-Off Workers' Life Course

Excellent thesis:

Duan Shichang, School of Journalism and Communication, Renmin University of China

From Parasitism to Symbiosis: Research on the Relationship between Platform and Infrastructure

Hu Mengjia, School of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University

The Rectification of Name for Neil Boltzmann: On the Theoretical Connotation of "Media Is Metaphor"

Liu Liu, Chen Zeyue and Guo Wenhao, School of Journalism, Fudan University

The Changing "News Field": An Analysis on "Investigative News" Based on We Media

Prof. Zhou Yong, Secretary of Party Committee, School of Journalism, Renmin University of China

Announcing the list of papers recommended for this forum

Finally, Professor Zhang Hongjun, executive director of School of Journalism and Communication of Nanjing University which would be the sponsor of the second "Qing Mei Forum", delivered a closing speech.

Professor Zhang Hongjun first encouraged young students to continue working in such best period of ideological emancipation and theoretical innovation, and expressed his gratitude to the experts and scholars as judges in this forum. He hoped that he could continue to make comments for young students next year. At last, he invited all teachers and students to meet in Nanjing University in person at the harvest next year.

Professor Zhang Hongjun, Executive Director of School of Journalism and Communication, Nanjing University

Speech at the closing ceremony

It is reported that the forum has received 91 effective contributions from 63 universities at home and abroad. After one round of preliminary review and two rounds of final review, a total of 20 contributions were shortlisted. Since the announcement of the forum agenda, a total of 1467 applications have been received. The next national "Qing Mei Forum" for graduate students of journalism and communication will be hosted by the School of Journalism and Communication of Nanjing University.