Blogging in China Observe how blogging has affected
Blogging in China
Observe how blogging has affected Chinese culture and how blogging culture in China is different than Western blogging culture
� Qualitative � Observation �Yao Chen �Blocked on Weibo � Interviews �International �Tumblr Chinese students at UCLA users � Literature �Case studies done by other researchers
� Chinese government censorship �National image �Bribery �Structure �Coercion �Ambiguity � Liberalization � of economy Chinese social media �Sina Weibo
� Government controls all data � Replicated social media � Blogging is the freest form of speech � Real life implications �Imprisonment, restructuring, raids � Covert behavior
� Accustomed to censorship � Digital media is new �Culture is emerging and developing � Self-censorship is an automatic behavior � “You don’t crave for an idea you’ve never known. ” – Tiffany Chi �The notion of democracy �Blocked communications from outside
� Metaphors, satire, encoding � High context blogging culture � Must be embedded in culture � For example: �River Crab / héxiè �Phonogram for censorship � All content is dominated by censorship
� Dominated by self interest and the notion of celebrity � Messages are low context � Some high context �Media specific �For example: “what is air” � Community �Versus and socialization disjointed compartmentalization
� Celebrities are the news �Newsmakers, news finders, etc. � Growing sense of individualism � Popular topics: �Social justice & gov’t accountability �Public safety �Controversial topics �Topics of entertainment
� Government accountability � Case Study (Yang Lan) �Mass urbanization �Lots of evictions, home loss, and even death �Public outrage via blogs �State council passes regulations on house requisition and demolition � Empowerment
� Political evolution vs. revolution � No community, no centralization, no martyrs � Censorship…*****…censorship � Still too early (even for Western blogging) � Complacency � High potential, but may require major controversy as call to action
� Covert communications � High context � Blogging has opened up new avenues of communication � Globalization = inevitable exposure � New sense of identity and individuality � Witnesses of a developing and transforming culture
� Have this kitten for your troubles.
- Slides: 15