In the age of social media accelerating the news cycle and allowing rumors to spread across the world within seconds, traditional media aims to secure its position as the most trusted source of news, and Zhongnan University of Economics and Law has addressed the issue of social responsibility, launching an initiative called "I'm a builder", including discussions and debates over a period of several months.

A total of 25 news media organizations from 18 provinces and municipalities have participated in the ongoing discussion.

Deng Yu, a student at the university’s School of Journalism and Mass Media, said that she wants to become a journalist but, when she turns on her computer and the screen is full of negative and sensationalist stories, she ends up confused. Deng said that news reporters should have a sense of responsibility and avoid sensationalism.

The issue was further highlighted by the All-China Journalists Association, which started an initiative on April 16, called "Transmit positive energy with a strong sense of social responsibility in order to achieve the China Dream".

Xia Qiong, a professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University, said that, in the short-term, the excessive focus on reaching as wide an audience as possible may be more profitable for media organizations but, in the long term, it will inevitably result in the public's resentment and a backlash, which will damage the reputation of the media.

Many journalists attending the university's discussions said that they accept that journalists should pay more attention to the effect of news media on society.

Zou Xianqi, president of Hubei Daily Media Group, said that "journalists should have passion, shoulder responsibility, contribute to society, and guide public opinion as builders."

Wang Hui, president of Jiangxi Daily said that his organization, including all its subsidiaries, have stated their aim to be "news builders" and to accept social responsibility.

Li Rong, deputy director of Shanghai Radio and Television, said that people must advocate a return to the core values of news reporting in order to play a constructive role and report objectively.

Yang Xingfeng, chairman of the Guangdong Journalists Association, said that as China undergoes economic, social and media transformation, it should focus on the social responsibility of news media.

He also said mainstream media should strive to play a bigger role as a leader of public opinion and spread socialist core values, and reporters should accept their social responsibility, in order to achieve the "China Dream".

The discussion "I'am a builder" has been extended to other universities in Hubei. Hubei University is holding discussions on the topic in a bid to contribute to the study of professional ethics, in particular ethics in journalism.?

Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology have held a series of lectures and essay and speech contests, with the aim of guiding students to address the issues as "builders".

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin