Page 103 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Chapter 4. Methodology

operation between traditional media and new media, the unprecedented opportunities

empowered by BBS/forums at the beginning of the digital age, and active public par-
ticipation from all sectors of society. It helped explore why the incident directly caused
change in laws and regulations, and whether the online or quasi-public sphere existed
during the case. The Xiamen PX plant case focused on the substantial change in the
public’s awareness of civil society, environmental protection and civic rights. The dy-

namics of the case come from a broader sense, meaning participation for the public
good. Instant messaging services, social networking sites and blogs were the main plat-
forms for public expression and the major channels for information dissemination. This

case emphasised the role of ICT-mediated public participation and its shift to real-life
mass movements. It shed light on the confrontation between the public and the govern-
ment facilitated by ICT tools. The Yihuang incident was sensational because the focus
switched to the real concerns about urbanization. Information and discussions about
this incident were primarily on Weibo and other social networking sites, which led to

a wider range of public participation. Media guidance and how government deal with
relevant information played a significant role in the development of this incident.
The Sun Zhigang incident is a typical example that demonstrates people’s concern

about migrant worker and legislation. Through cooperation between traditional media
and new media, information about the incident was disseminated widely and attracted
extensive discussion. The internet became the major platform for people to question,
interact and petition and resulted in individuals’ real-name participation in demanding
for constitutional change. Public opinion finally drew senior leaders’ attention and led

to the abolition of a law. The reaction to the incident was regarded as a milestone of
public participation via internet (mainly BBS/forums and Web portals) and it also rep-
resented the turning point between traditional media and new media.

The Xiamen PX plant case and the other cases relating to building chemical facto-
ries show people’s increasing awareness of environmental protection and their growing
requirements for good living conditions. In the Xiamen PX plant case, information
flowed via SMS, BBS/forums and blog discussions. The residents in Xiamen gathered
to protest against the building of a chemical factory in their homeland. It eventually led

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