Page 259 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Chapter 8. Conclusion

8.2.2 Dynamics and forms of public participation in China’s cyberspace

8.2.2.1 Dynamics

Three levels of motivations in public participation were found in this research and

are linked according to the progressive emotion of the public.
Primary level: The initial motivation is to satisfy people’s curiosity. It can be
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summarised as the bystander effect (‘weiguan’ effect ). Participants are seen as by-
standers to public events who only want to learn more about popular topics by observ-
ing online content. They usually hold a discreet attitude towards sensitive affairs in
order to protect themselves from trouble.
Intermediate level: The higher level of motivation is caused by the sense of em-
pathy. When netizens come across a social event that they might have similar experi-

ence of or are afraid it may happen to them in the future, they naturally develop a sense
of compassion and justice towards the victims. Therefore, they are willing to pay more
attention to the development of the events. And they are more motivated to contribute

to the formation of public opinion.
Senior level: As modern China is in a transitional period in terms of political,
economic and social areas, it is inevitable that all kinds of atypical and appalling social
events have taken place one after another. Take the three cases in this research as exam-
ples, they covered issues regarding the rights of migrant worker, environmental safety,

and urbanization. These are fundamental problems that cause social conflicts and peo-
ple’s widespread resistance towards the government in China. In the advanced level of
motivation, furious, dissatisfying and antagonistic emotions toward the government’s

performance take a major place. New media platforms have become an express option
for a large number of people to assemble, questioning the government and calling for
justice. At this level, netizens are eager to achieve a satisfying solution to the issue,
rather than just merely observing the development of such social events.
For example, ‘safeguarding rights on Weibo’ has become a very significant and

indispensable way for Chinese netizens to protect their civil rights in the modern in-
62 ‘Weiguan effect’ in Chinese is ‘ 围观效应 ’.

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