Overview

Western commentators have often criticized the state of press freedom in China, arguing that individual speech still suffers from arbitrary restrictions and that its mass media remains under an authoritarian mode. Yet the history of press freedom in the Chinese context has received little examination. Unlike conventional historical accounts which narrate the institutional development of censorship and people's resistance to arbitrary repression, Freedom of the Press in China: A Conceptual History, 1831-1949 is the first comprehensive study presenting the intellectual trajectory of press freedom. It sheds light on the transcultural transference and localization of the concept in modern Chinese history, spanning from its initial introduction in 1831 to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. By examining intellectuals' thoughts, common people's attitudes, and official opinions, along with the social-cultural factors that were involved in negotiating Chinese interpretations and practices in history, this book uncovers the dynamic and changing meanings of press freedom in modern China.

Full Product Details

Author:   Yi Guo
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Weight:   0.490kg
ISBN:  

9781041179726

ISBN 10:   1041179723
Pages:   264
Publication Date:   01 December 2025
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
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Table of Contents

Notes on the Text, Acknowledgement, Foreword, Introduction, 1. The Enlightenment of the West, China in a Transitional Period, The Earliest Writings on Press Freedom, Writings of Western Protestant Missionaries, Writings of Chinese Students in the West, Writings of Chinese Envoys, List of Works Cited, 2. Chuban Ziyou: The Invention of a Neologism, Liang Qichao and the Birth of Chuban Ziyou, Chinese Students in Japan and Their Introductions to Press Freedom, The Problematic Origins of Chinese Press Freedom, List of Works Cited, 3. The Liminal Landscape, The Pragmatic View, Press Freedom as a Civil Right, List of Works Cited, 4. The Intellectual Legacy of Sun Yat-sen, The New Era, Sun Yat-sen's Anti-Liberal Thoughts, Sun Yat-sen Worship, The San-min Doctrine of Journalism Theory, List of Works Cited, 5. The Empty Phrase and the Popular Ignorance, Press Freedom in Constitutional Documents, Press Freedom in School Textbooks, Violent Mobs and Ignored Freedom, List of Works Cited, 6. Conceptual Debates in the 1920s and 1930s, Minquan (People's Rights) or Human Rights, Press Freedom versus Press Control, List of Works Cited, 7. The Last Call for Press Freedom, The Constitutional Movement and Democrats' Propositions, The Movement for Freedom of Information, The Fear of Communist Publications, List of Works Cited, Conclusion, List of Works Cited, Bibliography, Index.

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Author Information

Dr. Yi Guo is an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and Communication at Chongqing University. He is also affiliated with the Centre for Media History at Macquarie University as an honorary member. He was formerly a journalist for the Xinhua News Agency.

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