Page 53 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Chapter 2. Literature review

2.5.2.2 Online public participation

In terms of cyberspace, it has been argued that the internet has the most potential
in contributing to expanding ‘macro public spheres’ that link citizens on a global or lo-
cal level (Keane, 2000, p.77). Dahlgren (2001) considered internet a nurturing base for

multiple microspheres that generate deliberative places to exchange views among po-
litically engaged people. Wu (2007) has argued for the construction of the online public
sphere in which the internet actively promotes the process by enabling mutual interac-
tion between citizens and digital media at both local and global levels. It has created

appealing possibilities for little-known individuals and politically-marginalised groups
and re-structured public issues (Ferdinand, 2000). Given the situation in China and its
lack of judicial independence, the courts often conspire with government departments

and it is understandable that the people resort to the virtual court to redress the issues
that they perceive as unfair and unjustified, thus ‘swaying the tide of public opinion’
(Tai, 2006, p.19). It seems that the internet has the potential to deal with inequality and
injustice in Chinese society, as it helps the public to gain visibility in China.

Regarding the improvement of democracy, scholars have long argued that in-
formation technology will promote the transition from authoritarianism to democracy
(Diamond, 1993; Linz and Stepan, 1996). Barber (1998) also asserted that the use of

information technology can enhance public participation in democratic affairs. Anoth-
er role of information technology was highlighted, in that technological advancement
enhances equality in information flow and expands the size of communities (Etzioni,
1993). The growing attention on the effect of the implementation of ICT on societies

and the public sphere has prompted discussions on the democratic potential of digital
new media in creating new opportunities for public discourse and political participation
in both industrial democracies and developing countries (Dahlberg, 2001; Gimmler,

2001). Liang (2010) examined the democratic potential in China and argued that online
political participation had been adopted as a brand-new form of political engagement
and the evident features of such participation have facilitated the democratisation pro-

cess, which has had positive influences in the construction of open, transparent and effi-

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