Page 100 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Feasibility Study of New Media Technology
on Constructing Online Public Sphere

examine the differences in the content operation and administration between the two,

and investigate the changes in the government’s attitude towards information control
and internet media.
Eight interviews were conducted. The interviewees were contacted through a re-
cruiting email that explained the research and provided a list of provisional interview
questions. The purpose of the research, interview procedures, data protection and other

ethical issues were also explained in the email. The identity of interviewees is an-
onymised as Interviewee 1, Interviewee 2 ... in the book.

4.4.2 Content of the interviews

Prior to the interview, an information sheet was provided to the participants which
included information of the researcher, the book topic, the length of the interview, and

two alternative ways of conducting the interview (by telephone or online instant mes-
saging service). I indicated that the telephone interviews would be recorded. No matter
which way they chose, anonymity was always the primary consideration.
The interview questions attempted to explore the media professionals’ perception

of the rapid development of new media in China and the role of the media market in the
triangular system. It focused on their views on the evolution of information technology
from BBS/forums to the Weibo age. A copy of the interview questions is at Appendix
4. I also sought to determine, from their professional experience, the sort of public

events that can draw long-term attention in China’s cyberspace and their comments on
the examples of public participation during the boom of the internet in China and their
views towards the influence of new media on the development of the three cases. The
interviewees were also asked to compare the roles of the print media, radio, television

and new media in the development of this kind of social event, and to evaluate the ad-
vantages and disadvantages of each.
The interview also examined whether the media market has the ability to influ-
ence internet users’ behaviour and to determine the extent to which the media market

can guide public opinion, and how internet media companies balance their own profits
and professional ethics in light of the government’s regulations and policies. The inter-

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