On the afternoon of November 22, the School of Journalism and Communication at Nanjing Normal University successfully hosted the 234th lecture of the “Hongai Media Forum” series in Room 102 of the Journalism Building. The keynote speaker, Professor Jiang Jianguo, a distinguished professor and Ph.D. supervisor from the School of Journalism at Fudan University, delivered an engaging lecture titled “Newspaper Reading and Social Response in Late Qing China”. The session was chaired by Professor Zou Ju, Vice Dean of the School, and was attended by several doctoral students and over a hundred master’s students.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Jiang addressed the challenge of “locating” newspaper readers in the study of journalism history. He highlighted the difficulty of establishing the correlation between the circulation and readership rates of early missionary newspapers, which were predominantly distributed free of charge. Even for commercial newspapers like Shenbao, specific numerical data remains elusive. Professor Jiang pointed out that this lack of quantifiable data makes historical newspaper studies particularly challenging. He emphasized that from the perspectives of late Qing reading history, cultural history, and social history, newspaper readers form a significant yet often overlooked group. During the turbulent times of late Qing society, intellectuals experienced complex shifts in their worldview, grappling with contradictions in their acceptance and rejection of “reality.” Newspapers, as a hallmark of modern media, played a critical role in transforming these individuals from traditional readers of books into readers of newspapers.

Following this, Professor Jiang elaborated on the reading practices associated with foreign newspapers. He observed that missionaries served as “living advertisements,” offering Chinese society glimpses into Western culture, lifestyles, and faiths, thereby introducing new perspectives to a traditionally insular society. He stressed that the focus should not solely be on the newspapers founded by missionaries but also on their broader social impact. Additionally, Professor Jiang highlighted the significant role of Shenbao in expanding newspaper readership. He explained how Shenbao influenced modern reading habits by disseminating news and shaping public opinion. Enlightened officials and gentry used Shenbao to stay informed, critique policies, express opinions, and present viewpoints. Literati found a platform for literary expression and self-worth, while merchants leveraged Shenbao for advertising to target potential consumers.

Professor Jiang also discussed the reading phenomena surrounding newspapers during the reform movement, with a focus on the roles of Shiwu Bao, Xiang Bao, and Wanguo Gongbao in driving social transformation. He argued that during the reform period, newspapers became tools for social mobilization and catalysts for societal change, with their role extending beyond mere information dissemination.

In conclusion, Professor Jiang summarized the relationship between late Qing newspaper reading and shifts in societal perceptions. He analyzed the newspaper-reading behaviors of various groups, including students, intellectuals, and local gentry, and observed that late Qing society had, to some extent, evolved into a “newspaper society.” People’s choices of newspapers reflected their life paths and political stances, showcasing how newspaper reading influenced identity and value orientation.

The lecture concluded with an interactive session, during which Professor Jiang patiently answered questions from students and faculty, sharing his insights and experiences. This lecture not only deepened the students’ understanding of newspaper reading during the late Qing period but also provided new academic inspiration and perspectives.