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Social Media in China edit

Social media[1] in China are web-based web pages that are composed of user-generated content. Thought it has similar channels to the United States, they are not identical. China has created alternative applications and sites that are used by its citizens and does not allow access to the same applications that citizens in the United States use. Unlike the United States, China's government has control over the majority of what is posted and shared.

Overview & Background edit

The government in China has kept tight control on new and old media to enforce their control. The government asserts that they have the power to control the internet's content. The media is censored mainly for political reasons but also to maintain control over the people. They maintain censorship of all media that reaches a wide audience. Strict media control is enforced through the use of monitoring systems and firewalls. Any websites that try and go against this control are shut down and any journalists, bloggers, or activists who try and disobey are sent to jail.[2]

In 2010, the Chinese government enforced policies promoting internet sovereignty for all internet users in China which is also known as the "white papers."[3] The Chinese government actively supervises internet users emphasizing internet safety to promote speech rights online that allow the government to understand.[4] The policies enforce the Chinese government to ban opposing material to government values. To maintain a presence online the Chinese government had made over 176,000 government agency microblogging by the end of 2012.[5]

 
Ap facebook dislike

American-based media websites like Wikipedia, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the New York Times have been blocked by the Chinese government.[6] Adaptations of social media or microblogging websites like Sina Weibo (Weibo) launched in 2008 and Youku Tudo launched in 2012 are popular platforms of social media in China. The societal norms of expressing opinions online progressed in China and by 2012 there were over 309 million microblogging users.[7]

Current Landscape of Chinese Social Media edit

China has control over its citizens’ social media interactions. Though Chinese citizens’ social media platforms are not limited, their content is monitored to ensure that it reflects appropriate messaging. For example, a Harvard study found that an estimated 488 million social media posts are created by the Chinese government each year to distract the public from other sensitive issues.[8] Furthermore, law "prohibits individuals or organizations from using the Internet to infringe others’ reputations, privacy, intellectual property rights and other lawful rights and interests, and directs network operators to strengthen their management of information their users post."[9]

Chinese social media platforms are unique in their nature. These platforms are not only used to promote individual conversation but also to promote e-commerce- another booming industry in the country. These social media platforms create a landscape that is adaptable to change and in constant flux. Social media is often local and fragmented.[10] Only two applications are widely used among most citizens. One of them, Weibo, is a section of microblogging that is popular.[11]

In addition to the influx of other applications to supplement the citizens’ needs, China has also taken to banning American based social applications. For example, Facebook is not allowed in China. The banning of Facebook take place in 2009 in response to the Ürümqi riots, when Xinjiang activists were using Facebook to foster its communication network.[12][13] SnapChat, Youtube and Twitter are another applications that are not allowed to be used in the country.[14]

Policies and Restrictions edit

According to China’s constitution its citizens have the right to freedom of speech and press, but its media regulations provide a loop-hole in which the government uses to effectively control what the media can publish. The government can block or censor any information they believe exposes state secrets or endangers the country. “The definition of state secrets in China remains vague, facilitating censorship of any information that authorities deem harmful to their political or economic interests."[15]

To avoid any negative publications about their authority the Chinese government keeps a tight hold on digital and social media outlets. Enforcing control over the media through tactics such as, firewalls, monitoring systems and even jailing journalists and activists who attempt to speak out against them. The Chinese government circulates censorship guidelines weekly to prominent media providers, and Chinese media outlets typically employ their own monitors to ensure their content is politically acceptable by the government to avoid punishment. Due to the government’s inability to censor western social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, they have blocked the outlets altogether.[16]

The introduction of the first "white paper" on the internet in May 2010 made it so all internet users, both foreign and domestic, organizations and individuals, must abide by Chinese laws and regulations.[17] Furthermore, Chinese based internet companies are required to sign the “Public Pledge on Self-Regulation and Professional Ethics for China Internet Industry,” giving the government more power over digital media organizations and users. According to this pledge all Chinese internet organizations agree to “refrain from producing, posting or disseminating pernicious information that may jeopardize state security and disrupt social stability, contravene laws and regulations and spread superstition and obscenity.” Under this pledge, internet organizations are subject to investigation and penalties whenever the government sees fit.[18]

 
Xi Jinping March 2017

Media restrictions continue to tighten under China’s current president, Xi Jinping, as he announced a new media policy for the party and state news providers. Under the new media policy, the state and party’s media must align with the leadership’s “thoughts, politics, and actions” in order to protect the party’s authority and create a sense of unity among the state and party.[19]

Comparing Chinese and US Social Media edit

The restrictions on social media within China have created a unique social media presence in China. With popular western mediums such as Facebook and YouTube blocked, Chinese entrepreneurs have been allowed to create their own platforms. For years Chinese social media has been accused of copying US social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube, but China is beginning to lead innovations in the Tech industry. Innovations that have been pioneered are widespread bike sharing programs, widespread QR code integration, and Online Shopping giants acquiring brick and mortar retail stores. This is comparable to Amazons acquisition of Whole Foods.[20]

The differences in Social media platforms also reflects the differences in how users in China and the United States use social media. US Facebook users open the app 17.9 times a day, with Weibo users getting on 14.5 times a day. Chinese users use the app for longer, spending 48minutes a day as compared to the 43 minute US average.[21] Chinese social media users love to shop. A Millward survey reported that 68% of Chinese users reported they were “happy or overjoyed” as opposed to the 48% of American users. The frequency with which Chinese consumers shop online also sets them apart, with 75% of Chinese using online shopping compared to the global average of 21%. Chinese users also trust their online peers for advice on products, making social media presence mandatory for Chinese companies.[22]

References edit

  1. ^ "Social media". Wikipedia. 2017-10-24.
  2. ^ "Media Censorship in China". Council on Foreign Relations. February 17, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  3. ^ "Govt. White Papers - china.org.cn". china.org.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  4. ^ "Govt. White Papers - china.org.cn". china.org.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  5. ^ Zheng, Lei (2013-10-01). "Social media in Chinese government: Drivers, challenges and capabilities". Government Information Quarterly. 30 (4): 369–376. doi:10.1016/j.giq.2013.05.017.
  6. ^ "Media Censorship in China". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  7. ^ Zheng, Lei (2013-10-01). "Social media in Chinese government: Drivers, challenges and capabilities". Government Information Quarterly. 30 (4): 369–376. doi:10.1016/j.giq.2013.05.017.
  8. ^ Sophia, Yan (May 20, 2016). "Fake in China: 488 million social media posts a year". CNN Money. CNN Money. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Global, Yicai (June 8, 2017). "China's network regulator orders social media to close 60 accounts". Technode. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  10. ^ Flemming, Sam (August 10, 2016). "The state of Chinese social media in 2016: what you need to know". Ad Age. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  11. ^ Chiu, Cindy (April 2012). "Understanding social media in China". McKinsey & Company. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  12. ^ "Censorship of Facebook". October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  13. ^ Pham, Sherisse. "Banned! 11 things you won't find in China". CNN. CNN Tech. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  14. ^ Pham, Sherisse. "Banned! 11 things you won't find in China". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2017-10-24.
  15. ^ "Media Censorship in China". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  16. ^ "Media Censorship in China". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  17. ^ "The Internet in China - china.org.cn". china.org.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  18. ^ "Internet Society of China". www.isc.org.cn. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  19. ^ "Media Censorship in China". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2017-10-27.
  20. ^ "Subscribe to read". Financial Times. Retrieved 2017-10-10. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  21. ^ "Kantar - Comparing the social superpowers". us.kantar.com. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
  22. ^ "7 Key Differences Between Chinese and Western Consumers". Multichannel Merchant. 2017-02-13. Retrieved 2017-10-10.
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