Social Media in China
Social Media in China: The Sina Weibo as the Study Object
Mass media influence and restrict by the social and political, at the same time, the characteristics of the mass media also influence the process of social development. In most of the westen coutries, the media set up their rloe as the ‘watch dog’ for the governemtn, supervision the government and as well as a bridge of communication between government and public. From the Collins English Dictionary, a watchdog is defined as ‘a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices’ [1]. To perform in an investigative manner, the journalist is in the ‘role’ of a watchdog. ‘Watchdog journalism is a state of mind for the whole newspaper: Journalism that gives power to the people.’Hall (2011). For maintain the leadership and reputation of the government, the ‘safety of the contry’ will be an excuse when government tries to hide the truth and informations. In these situations, the funtion of watchdog in media can express in a right way. Such as the famous event, Watergate, which had forced the Nixon out of office in 1974, is a good example for the media as a role of the government’s watchdog. In a country that guarantees freedom of the press, watchdog journalism can be ‘a highly effective mechanism of external control on corruption’ (Brunetti, Weder 2003, p.1804). But the situation in China will be more complicated.
For now, the ownership of media still belongs to the Chinese Communist Party. For instance, concerning daily operations, broadcasters are under the jurisdiction of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) within the State Council (national government), while print media organizations come under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Press and Publication. At one time, People’s Daily, the New China News Agency, and CCTV, the most significant and influential media, they were under control of the Chinese authorities and
Mass media influence and restrict by the social and political, at the same time, the characteristics of the mass media also influence the process of social development. In most of the westen coutries, the media set up their rloe as the ‘watch dog’ for the governemtn, supervision the government and as well as a bridge of communication between government and public. From the Collins English Dictionary, a watchdog is defined as ‘a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices’ [1]. To perform in an investigative manner, the journalist is in the ‘role’ of a watchdog. ‘Watchdog journalism is a state of mind for the whole newspaper: Journalism that gives power to the people.’Hall (2011). For maintain the leadership and reputation of the government, the ‘safety of the contry’ will be an excuse when government tries to hide the truth and informations. In these situations, the funtion of watchdog in media can express in a right way. Such as the famous event, Watergate, which had forced the Nixon out of office in 1974, is a good example for the media as a role of the government’s watchdog. In a country that guarantees freedom of the press, watchdog journalism can be ‘a highly effective mechanism of external control on corruption’ (Brunetti, Weder 2003, p.1804). But the situation in China will be more complicated.
For now, the ownership of media still belongs to the Chinese Communist Party. For instance, concerning daily operations, broadcasters are under the jurisdiction of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) within the State Council (national government), while print media organizations come under the jurisdiction of the General Administration of Press and Publication. At one time, People’s Daily, the New China News Agency, and CCTV, the most significant and influential media, they were under control of the Chinese authorities and