Communication Studies Luminary Lee Chin-Chuan Passes Away, Having Dedicated His Life to Press Freedom

The College of Communication at National Chengchi University (NCCU) announced the passing of Professor Lee Chin-Chuan, an Eyu-shan Scholar, stating that the communication studies field has lost a giant and expressing profound grief and reluctance to part with him. Professor Lee, born in 1946 and aged 80, dedicated his life to the issue of press freedom and received the Tseng Hsu-pai Journalism Award for his book 'The Ghost of Press Freedom.' He was a distinguished alumnus of NCCU's Department of Journalism and a globally renowned communication scholar. He taught for many years at the University of Minnesota, where he directed the Social and Media Center, and also served as a Chair Professor and Head of the Department of Media and Communication at City University of Hong Kong. In 2019, he returned to NCCU as an Eyu-shan Scholar. Professor Lee's research focused on political communication and Chinese media studies, and he was among the early scholars involved in the 'New World Information and Communication Order' debates in the 1980s. His academic achievements are outstanding and globally recognized, significantly influencing the development of global communication research. He was known for his rigorous scholarship, broad vision, and deep humanistic concern. NCCU's College of Communication noted his significant contributions to internationalization and research enhancement, and the establishment of the 'National Chengchi University College of Communication Professor Lee Chin-Chuan International Scholarship' in 2021 to encourage students' international experience. The college expressed deep sorrow and condolences to his family.