Page 57 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Chapter 2. Literature review

structive or irrational participation that can become a threat to social stability (Xue,

2011).
Zhang and Stening (2010) have highlighted the importance of information sharing
and the mobilisation of public opinion. They argued that:
‘given the nature of information cascades and fission effects in dissemination
of public opinion in a networked environment, it also leaves plenty of room for

wirepullers to manoeuvre public opinion in favour of special interests’ (Zhang and
Stening, 2010, p.112).
Wang (2014) also emphasised the passive spread of information at a higher speed

on the internet, which generates wider negative social effects. For example, the Guo
Meimei incident on Weibo in 2011 led to a reputational crisis for the Red Cross Socie-
7
ty in China.
As Xue (2011) indicated, unlike traditional media, blocking or prohibition will
not be effective on the internet and a wholesale clear-out may break the ecological

balance in cyberspace and lead to unanticipated negative consequences in society and
for economic development. Thus, the key problem is ‘how to stimulate ICT-mediated
participation while ensur[ing] the orderliness and rationality of the participation and

avoid[ing] chaotical or meaningless behaviours’ (Yang, 2010, p.26). Proper government
control, guidance and regulation may help build a rational online environment (Xue,
2011), but how control should be implemented needs to be further examined. Scholars
have also proposed amending the legal system, clarifying the obligation and responsi-
bility of each actor involved in ICT-mediated participation to promote better outcomes

(Sheng, 2007), but this would require long experience and examination.

2.5.3 Government: the progression of responses and countermeasures

Historically, China has struggled to construct a society with a strong legal sys-
tem. Ever since the foundation of the PRC, in the wake of societal change, economic
development and the progression of globalisation, the Chinese government has altered

7 Guo Meimei was general manager of the Red Cross Society of China, and constantly flaunted her
possessions on Weibo. This resulted in people doubting the credibility of the Red Cross and sharply
decreased the amount of donations.

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