In my home country China, under the influence of socialism, the media are mainly managed by official organisations, and the media are the ‘eyes, ears, tongue and throat’ of the government. The study of the media organisation in China, therefore, needs to start from the perspective of the ‘government-media’ relationship, where the Chinese media in transition plays the role of a ‘coordinator’ between the party-state and the market, bridging the political and economic interests of both, and realising the integration of the party-state and the market.
In general, China’s media organisation is dominated by public ownership, with multiple ownership systems developing together. The media’s financing channels have been widened, private and foreign capital can enter the media capital market, and the media’s space for development is gradually increasing.
How do government microblogs work?
With the extremely rapid development of new media over the past decade, Weibo has gradually become an essential part of Chinese media. As a media platform, it is not only seen as a microphone by millions of Chinese citizens, but it has also become an important source for the government to understand public opinion and focus on people’s livelihoods. Chinese governments and official institutions at all levels have created official accounts on Weibo, known as government microblogs (usually with a blue V in the bottom right corner of the profile to identify their authority).
By establishing channels on Weibo from the grassroots to the top, people’s voices, no matter how small, have the potential to be heard, and together, thousands of voices can create a huge push. So we can say that this is the age of the ‘micro’ voice. And McChesney’s definition of the democratisation of society means that “create mechanisms that make the rules of many possible”. Government microblogs have become a bridge between government and citizens.
The government collects public opinion through official government microblogs to inform the formulation of policies and regulations. For example, citizens suggest ideas through the government microblogs, making it possible for even minor suggestions to be seen. At the same time, people also spontaneously speak out about injustice, and a stream of voices comes together for the government to hear and offer solutions. For instance, following the famous #Metoo movement, China has introduced laws and regulations that have made women’s rights better protected. We can say that Weibo has reduced social inequality.
https://www.qianzhan.com/analyst/detail/220/211015-a90d8854.html
But it is still restricted…
However, we have to admit that this will always be a restricted democracy under the influence of Chinese policies. Because of the strict censorship established by the Communist Party, Weibo is also the subject of censorship and does not count as a free public sphere. The hand of the government, in some cases, squashes the tide of voices as if nothing is happening. The interrelationship between government, the market, citizens and the media is thus specifically characterised by games and compromise, confrontation and control, in other words, ‘cooperation in conflict, conflict in cooperation’. Although Weibo has given ordinary citizens a way to make their voices heard, it remains subject to strict government censorship. There is still considerable uncertainty as to whether the voices will spread.
However, today, we must recognise the position and role of the media, especially market-based media, in presenting and constructing new dominant social power relations. In a particular political, economic, social and cultural context, the Chinese media as a platform for ideology, economic industry and public opinion has gradually begun to construct identities and form its own interests as a market-oriented institution. At the same time, the Chinese media has become deeply involved in the political process of reform, in which multiple interests are played out and coordinated.
In short, government microblogs have played an important role as a platform for the democratisation of society. It is a restricted democracy, but it is still an effective way for citizens to participate in politics.