Modern Social Science Research

The Neue Rheinische Zeitung, founded by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels during the 1848 European revolutions, served as a proletarian newspaper whose distinctive language style constitutes a crucial practical source for the Marxist view of journalism. Employing a research methodology that integrates textual analysis with historical-contextual examination, and drawing on original German-language newspapers, this paper systematically identifies three key features of the newspaper’s language style: conscious polemics rooted in a firm stance, rhetorical wisdom grounded in cognitive shaping, and popular expression aimed at the dissemination of ideas. Building on this analysis, the study further explores the practical implications of this style for contemporary news and public opinion work. It argues that mainstream media should draw inspiration from the newspaper’s steadfast stance on matters of principle and its mass-oriented approach to theoretical dissemination. Ultimately, this research offers historical insights for enhancing the discursive capacity and communicative effectiveness of mainstream media in today’s complex public opinion landscape.

Neue Rheinische Zeitung; Language style; Contemporary implications