Media Boundaries: Communication Studies on Sex and Violence / by Lai Kuen LEUNG

**Sex and violence are topics that always touch a nerve, provoking controversy and remaining unavoidable.** **Let's use the lens of communication studies to move beyond emotional debates** **and find a rational basis for deeper understanding.** Sex and violence are pressing issues in contemporary society, yet discussing them presents significant challenges. People's perceptions of sexuality and violence are often shaped by media influence, leading to emotional responses that overshadow rational thought. Furthermore, the increasingly sophisticated media industry, driven by its own commercial interests, can sway public opinion and influence public policy. Are the issues of sex and violence in the media a cause for concern? How do social media, virtual games, and film and television culture shape our understanding of sex and violence? When media accurately portrays these themes, does it risk influencing young audiences to emulate them? Do they ultimately reinforce or dismantle societal stereotypes? "Media Boundaries" synthesizes half a century of communication studies research and analysis on sex and violence, focusing on aspects applicable to Hong Kong and Chinese societies. It also introduces how psychology, sociology, education, medicine, and other disciplines approach the study of sex and violence, equipping readers with a foundation for critical reflection when confronted with the sensational, explicit, and provocative content in the media landscape. ISBN: 978-988-237-250-4 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Pages: 336 Dimensions: 229 x 152 x 19 mm --------------- "Media Boundaries" offers an in-depth analysis of social issues related to violence and sex as presented in media, film, and the internet. The author employs a sharp analytical perspective to explore relevant theories, supported by empirical research, emphasizing the social and media issues that the public should pay particular attention to in the digital age. **— Liu Yau-Lai, Head of the Department of Media and Communication, City University of Hong Kong** This book combines the author's years of teaching experience with continuous media observation. It spans from mass media to online games, from the objectification of women to #MeToo, and from the effects of media violence to cyberbullying. It serves to guide readers in thinking about and understanding the related media phenomena around them. **— Li, Lik-fung, Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, The Chinese University of Hong Kong** Sex and violence have always been topics that evoke strong emotions, and the media's approach to these areas often mirrors this intensity, amplifying their societal impact manifold. This book undertakes a broad and deep exploration of this subject, offering more scientific and robust analyses through numerous related studies. **— Kwong, Po-keung, Psychiatrist Specialist** Children facing abuse, moral liberalization, sexual violence, and cyberbullying are issues that moral education and student counseling teachers frequently encounter and handle in recent years. To protect our next generation, what can we do? I believe this book can help us explore and reflect thoughtfully, especially when nurturing the next generation, enabling us to handle these matters more intelligently and cautiously. **— Chung, Wing-yan, Former Chairperson, Yuen Long District Primary School Heads Association