Abstract：Electronic colonialism theory(ECT) is first constructed by media-study scholar Thomas McPhail in 1981. This theory explains how worldwide media are collectively influencing the native audience’s minds and behaviors. To some certain extent， the process of electronic colonialism can also change the native cultural and social processes. Applying the method of literature review， this essay intends to study and discuss the following issues： the historical background of ECT， its theoretical background， its main focus， as well as its future. This essay’s core issue of interest lies in the discussion of the research development of ECT. The conclusion part of the essay aims to start from the perspective of traditional mass media’s transition to new media， and analyze the relationship of power and discourse， therefore interpret the current critical point of the theory’s developing process.
田 丽 方 菲. 电子殖民主义理论的研究发展[J]. 华中师范大学学报（人文社会科学版）, 2017, 56(6): 148-153.
Tian Li Fang Fei. The Research Development of Electronic Colonialism Theory. journal1, 2017, 56(6): 148-153.
2017, Vol. 56 
