A Brief History of Chen Yun’s News Thought in the Early Stage of Reform and Opening Up —A Historical Study Based on Chen Yun’s 1980 Speech on the People's Daily
The People’s Daily is the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the mouthpiece for ideological and political propaganda. It is the main battlefield for the Party and the government to guide public opinion and carry out ideological work; As the mainstream mass media of socialist countries with Chinese characteristics, it enjoys a high status as a news media and has strong ideological and cultural influence among the people and overseas readers due to the authenticity of its news information, the credibility of newspapers and public opinion, the authority of policies and regulations, and the guidance of ideological education. Chen Yun’s comprehensive, objective, and insightful exposition and evaluation of the work of the People’s Daily in December 1980 engraved the imprint of his profound news thinking. Through a historical review and consideration of Chen Yun’s speech, we can glimpse into his specific guiding ideology and directive spirit towards the media and public opinion work, political propaganda work, and ideological guidance work related to the People’s Daily during the early stages of reform and opening up. We can also understand his newspaper and mass media theory with distinctive characteristics of the times and practical features.