This is initiated as an oriental communication model with special reference to “Kalama Sutta”, named “Communication Model of Epistemology” as an alternative model
to the western models of communication. This model is not a model of Buddhism or Buddhist Philosophy. The origin of this model which explains how to grasp a message
properly came to existence during the period of Buddha who lived in 6th century before Aristotle. This new model is based on the special segment of the “Kalama
Sutta in Anguttra Nikaya” (see Appendix, pp. 170-175) in Thripitaka (Three Baskets). This may be the first Sri Lankan communication model on epistemology, of how
one can accept or reject the message wherever he gets it from. When one goes through this sutra, one can find how a message can be grasped without taking prior
beliefs, stances, reports and religious texts and so on. This theory is structured as “The Communication is ‘One who gets a message from anywhere with whatever
consequence after scrutinizing it by himself epistemologically.’” This could be explained as a part of self-communication and communication with others.
[China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 1-14]
De-westernization of Media and Journalism Education in South Asia: In Search of a New Strategy
South Asian educators train journalism students with borrowed curricula from the West. Professionals and recruitment authorities often critical to the curricula,
as those are not to fit with the local context. Journalism/ media/ mass communication graduates are therefore being undervalued in the local media recruitment process.
Along with the ignorance of the native industry requirements and the flaws of the west-centric curricula evident that the South Asian journalism institutions require a
different approach to course contents – precisely mean the de-westernization or localization of curricula. This article focuses on the importance of western values in
journalism education, failure of conventional west-oriented or readymade curricula, complexity between theory and practices, the necessity for a new approach to form a
curricula model and the responsibility of journalism educators in South Asian universities. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 15-23]
Re-orientation, Ferment and Prospects of Communication Theory in South Asia
The article is divided into three sections. The first section argues that the contemporary communication scholarship should look beyond de-Westernization and re-orienting
communication theory towards South Asian culture should be the agenda now. The second section presents brief overview of communication theorization thereby outlining an
evolution of the field from theoretical exploration to exposition of methodology of theory building. Drawing on few instances from South Asia, the final section presents
an appraisal to ongoing endeavors to re-orient communication theory towards philosophical and cultural heritage of South Asia.
[China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 24-28]
Bhagvad Geeta a Manual of Spiritual Communication: The Way to Excellence & Perfection
Sree Madbhagawad Geeta, the cream of Vedas is considered to be the supreme nectar milk, milked from the Upanishads as cows by Lord Krishna, Arjuna as the calf - the men of purified intellect as the drinkers.
Due to its eternal wisdom and sublime beauty Bhagvad Geeta has universal appeal. Known as the Lord's song or the Song Celestial, Bhagavad Geeta represents one of the highest flights of the conditioned
spirit to its unconditioned Source ever achieved. The Bhagavad Geeta is a discourse between lord Krishna and Arjuna. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna, through this discourse reveals the
profound, sublime and soul stirring spiritual truths and expounds to him the rare secrets of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakty and Karma. Beauty of the discourse lies in the fact that, it is imparted in the midst
of the battle field. So it has practical implications. The spiritual message with subtle psychological insight empowers the disheartened, grief stricken and deluded Arjuna for the great war of Mahabharta.
Arjuna is led step by step, on the ladder of Yoga, to the blessed revelation of the purpose of life and the final attainment of liberation from the sorrow. Thus Geeta gives us the perennial wisdom in a
manner that can be systematically practiced. And the process of spiritual communication is the means to do so. Adopting it, the process of transformation Arjuna undergoes can be the experience of any
person striving for excellence and perfection amid the battlefield of life. The paper discusses the starting point of this communication, next consecutive steps of self-awareness, karma-svadharma,
liberating knowledge, devotion and final awakening. In this way the dynamic process of spiritual communication comprising of intrapersonal, interpersonal and divine commune are explored; leading to
the goal of excellence and perfection, with the potential obstacles and the helping aids on the way. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 29-34]
Does the medium make a difference? A comparative analysis of international news in Chinese online and print newspapers
The study analyzed major Chinese online and print newspapers’ coverage of international news to understand the potential of digital technologies in balancing the global news
flow for developing countries. A content analysis was conducted of the international news on the official People’s Daily and the commercial Southern Metropolitan
Daily and the newspapers’ websites. The results showed that although the internet makes it possible for the print media to cover international stories in greater
depth and breath, the technical affordances of the internet were used modestly, and the Chinese print and online media on the whole reproduced the Western-style
journalistic practice which contributed to bias and imbalance of the global news flow. However, the print-to-online change in the international news coverage was
more prominent on the official media than on the commercial media. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 35-47]
Enacted Social Support and Cultural Practices among Women and Families Observing a Postpartum Rest in Taiwan
Observing a postpartum rest is a culturally important social practice for women and their family members in Taiwan. Diet, confinement, sanctioning actions that may expose a woman to forces of Yin,
or cold, are believed important for the mother to recover health and restore balance. Other family members, most often the mother-in-law, are responsible for providing support. Interviews were
conducted with 40 Taiwanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian participant women and their family members across rural communities of Taiwan. Analyzed through the lenses of the theory of communicating
social support and cultural practices, findings demonstrate the dilemmas and positive and negative impacts of this enacted practice. They also demonstrate the dynamics of a Taiwanese, or culturally
Chinese, style of communication and social support. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 48-59]
Perceived Characteristics, Perceived popularity, and Playfulness: Youth Adoption of Mobile Instant Messaging in China
Mobile instant messaging (MIM) has been gaining in popularity in China due to its free and user-friendly nature. Few scholarly studies have investigated factors affecting the adoption of MIM among
Chinese youth. This web survey examined perceived characteristics of MIM and its adopter characteristics among 18 to 30 year-old users in China. The study found that the majority of Chinese youths
adopted WeChat and Mobile QQ services and used texting most often. Socialization was their main purpose of using MIM. More than 75% of respondents used it to connect with friends, colleagues,
and classmates. The results also showed age had a negative influence on the adoption levels of MIM while compatibility, perceived popularity, and perceived playfulness were positively associated
with MIM usage among Chinese youths. Contrary to prior studies, perceived trialability of MIM was negatively related to MIM use. The implications of MIM usage and adoption are discussed.
[China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 60-71]
Sina Weibo: A Mutual Communication Apparatus between the Chinese Government and Chinese Citizens
Much like Twitter, Sina Weibo is a Chinese microblog used by more than 400 million (as of November 2012) Chinese netizens. What sets Sina Weibo apart from its Western counterpart is the paradox of the
freedom this social media endows and the restrictions it encompasses due to the state Internet censorship. The Great Fire Wall of China is a frequent target by Western critics; however,
few studies dissect the changes to government control in China brought forth by social media. Looking into representative cases on Sina Weibo within its three years of existence,
and examining the active role it plays in contemporary Chinese society, this exploratory study probes the impact brought about by Sina Weibo on the transformation of the dynamic relationship
between the Chinese people and Chinese government.
Appropriating frameworks of surveillance and the study of freedom of speech, this paper illustrates that deployed by both Chinese government and its people, Sina Weibo is significantly changing
the rapport between these two parties. Affording a bridge of mutual communication, Chinese microbloggers obtain more autonomy through actively engaging in social discourses on Sina Weibo,
and in parallel the government uses microbloggers’ feedback on Sina Weibo to solve social issues in a timely manner. All in all, Sina Weibo promotes the bilateral supervision and co-governance
between Chinese government and its people in various aspects of social and political affairs, forging a more efficient and vibrant China. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 72-85]
Advertising Sidedness and Conclusiveness across Cultures: How Chinese and U.S. College Students Are Influenced by Different Climate-Change Ads
Author(s):
Qingjiang (Q. J.) Yao, Carrol Haggard, Luyan Cai
The research literature suggests that open-ended or two-sided ads may work better in U.S. culture while close-ended or one-sided ads may fit Chinese culture better. Therefore,
this study was designed to test the influence of sidedness and conclusiveness of a climate-change ad among Chinese (N = 161) and U.S. (N = 154) college students. The results
show that U.S. students overall have higher knowledge, more positive attitude, and stronger behavioral intention about the issue. The pattern of the results, although not
statistically significant, still implies that open-ended or two-sided ads have stronger effects in increasing U.S. students’ knowledge, attitude, and behavioral intention,
while close-ended or one-sided ads work better with Chinese students. [China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 86-94]
Mutual Positive Face Support in Intercultural Encounters
This study examines intercultural encounters as they are actually happening between intercultural relational partners with the goal of understanding and describing factors that may contribute
to successful interactions. A close analysis of email interactions between a Chinese college student in China and a US American graduate student in the US between March and April of 2011 shows
that communicative practices that demonstrate mutual positive face support underlie the interactions between the communicators and may have accounted for their successful relationship.
[China Media Research. 2014; 10(2): 95-105]
Editorial Staff 