The Definition of Media Activism in China - Essay Example

Chinese Media: Media Activism Over the years, conventional modes of activism have been replaced by the increase use of media activism. Activism is general defines the increasing creation and utilization of political and social movements to achieve a particular objective. Media activism applies the technologies available in communication and networking to develop more advanced strategies in the creation of political and social movements. The rise of media activism across the globe has been directly influenced by the availability of trends in communication and the media. For instance, the creation of social media sites has increase the level at which media activism impact the society. The same could be said of China, a country in which activism is viewed as illegal and an act against the values shared by the government. However, the presence and availability of media activism has increased the country’s ability to take part in activism. With a massive population, media activism in China has provided a platform for communication for many people gagged from taking part in conventional activism processes (Wallis 410). Specifically, people in China have been cited as one of the greatest consumers of media activism in a country where freedom is not viewed as a democratic right. The Definition of Media Activism in China Media activism in China may be defined from two contrasting perspectives. There is the government and society definition of media activism. For the Chinese government, media activism is only legal where the users use the available technologies in communication to cite the positive features of the government. For instance, media houses in China are licensed to provide information as specified by the government. This form of media activism does not allow for criticism of highlighting of the errors by the governing body. The definition also covers providing information on the acts of the government depicting change, control, superiority and just (Yang 54). The social definition of media activism in China is the completely opposite of the stated definition. The definition mainly focuses on highlighting the need of change. Considering that the conventional media in China has no power to provide voice to the citizens, other media sources are relied upon to voice the frustrations on the government. Media activism from the people is defined as act by which the society is provided with an opportunity to challenge the existing non-democratic rule of law. China is highly defined by a rule of law inconsiderate of the rights of people. Problems in the nation can only be headlined across the globe with the use of media activism (Shao 1). For this reason, media activism in China mainly focuses on providing an alternative means of communication for the people. Major Characteristics of Media Activism in China A major characteristic of media activism in China is the use of social media. Shao cites that China has estimated 500 million users of social media (1). This provides an exceptional platform on which media activism may thrive. The use of social media is also based on that the approach provides an easy way for to provide their personal opinions. The decision is influenced by the existence of communication laws challenging the freedom of communication. Most media activism in China is done mostly through Google +, Twitter or Facebook (Shao 1). There is no existence of media activism in mainstream media in China. Another characteristic of media activism in China is the provision of anti-government information. The sole aim of media activism in China is to increase the democratic rights offered to the people by the Chinese government. In other countries, mostly the west, media activism is also used a tool of highlighting non-political norms such as corporate governance and social problems (Wallis 421). This characteristic is increasing in intensity as young people in China develop advances in social media to avoid the communication restrictions placed. Social media in China is also characterized government intervention to hinder the right to communication. For instance, the Chinese government has banned the use of Twitter, Facebook and Google sites. To enhance the gagging strategy, the government has blocked these sites making accessibility near to impossible (Shao 1). In addition, media activists in the country have been arrested regularly and charged with misinformation and incitement. For instance, the Chinese based social media site Weibo was shut down. The creator of the site Ai Weiwei was arrested and charged. In 2013, Charles Xue was also arrested. Xue has online campaigner with over 12 million online fans who frequently highlighted social injustice and corruption in China (Shao 1). For this reason, taking part in media activism has been cited as an illegal act as offenders are prosecuted. The Role of Creativity in China’s Media Activism In a country with numerous communication restrictions, creativity in media is mandatory. With disabling of global social media sites, China has been shut-out from the global communication sphere. However, creativity by players in the industry has been evident. For instance, regardless of the fact that giant media sites have been blocked, Chinese people use the networks by the creation of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). This technology has been able to hack beyond the allowed internet presence of great firewall of China (Shao 1). From this technology, China has an estimated 20,000 users on Twitter and 100,000 consumers of Google+ (Shao 1). The impact of this technology on media activism on media activism has been exceptional. Activist in China are able to increase their connectivity and the world and provide information on the state of social and political injustice in China. Media activists in the country have also used creativity to supplement the absence of global social networks. Innovators have created local social media sites than have similar impact such as other social sites. For instance, the creation of sina.com and Weibo increase the ability of media activism in China. Weibo is an equivalent to Twitter in China in which users may post any information they would wish (Shao 1). The site has been significantly active in China with close of 12 million users. Most users use the platform to call for movements against the government. This has caused the government to arrest users and inventors of the social sites. Apart from local creativity, global inventions have made media activism in China possible. In the age where Twitter and Facebook were absent, China did not have media outlets other than mainstream media. The existing media platform could not be used for activism as the government directly controlled the content provided for public consumption. For this reason, media activism could not be practiced. The invention of Facebook and Twitter provided an opportunity for media activism. In an argument by Yang giant global social media sites have given the global society with voice absent in non-democratic nations (74). The same could be said of China. The world started getting the real image of the social and political injustice in China after people were provided with a media activism platform. The Impact on Life of Contentious Activities There are numerous effects in the lives of Chinese people from contentious issues on media activism. One major effect is the lack of enough and quality information from a global perspective. Social networking across the globe has been cited as the most used way for the exchange information. For this reason, information in social network sites is highly valuable and relevant. People in China cannot access this opportunity. The increase in media activism efforts made the government block this cites thus shutting the people in China from the advancing world. Another effect is the desired philosophy of the Chinese people. In an argument by Yang the discipline and success in China can be attributed to the ability of the government to control information consumption (91). The author further asserts that the Chinese philosophy is the foundation of the entire nation and its erosion may have significant effects on the society (Yang 91). With increased calls for democracy through media activism, the Chinese people are exposed to a world that does not value its philosophies. However, the most significant impact on the life of Chinese people is the hope to acquire democracy and freedom of speech. Shao is of the assumption that the increased efforts of media activism in China cannot be diluted by the government (1). Regardless of the regulation imposed, more young Chinese still venture in media activism. This increases the probability that they government may be considerate of the basic human rights that the people are denied. Conclusion From the arguments presented, it is accurate to assert that media activism in China offers opportunities and threats in equal measure. In addition, the definition of media activism in China opposes the government efforts to increase media gagging and censorship. The inability of the conventional media to offer help has increased the use of social media as activism platforms. The Chinese government increased strategies to block online information consumption has led creativity that still provide the opportunities to use online forms of communication. Media activism in China is relevant and important in the quest for political and social justice in the less democratic nation. Works Cited Shao, M. Chinese Take Creative Approach to Internet Censorship. Stanford Graduate School of Business. Nov 29, 2011. Web. April 28, 2015. Wallis, Cara. New Media Practices in China: Youth Patterns, Processes, and Politics. International Journal of Communication, 5, 2011, 406–436. Yang, Guobin. The Power of the Internet in China: Citizen Activism Online. New York: Columbia University Press. 2013. Print. Read More