THE IMPACT OF “CITIZEN JOURNALISM” ON CHINESE MEDIA AND SOCIETY

Abstract

This paper discusses the political and social implications of the rise of “citizen journalism” (CJ) in China, a country where mainstream media are still under tight control while social conflicts are intensifying and nationalistic sentiments are exacerbating. The impact of CJ on mainstream journalism (MJ) and public participation is mostly discussed in respect of Western democratic societies. We know little about CJ and its political and social impact in nondemocratic societies like China. This paper provides an analysis of four case studies of CJ practice in China, which show that the impact of CJ on Chinese mainstream media and society is multifaceted. There is evidence that CJ is used by MJ as a news source as well as an alternative channel for distributing politically sensitive information. Therefore, it can be argued that CJ can work effectively together with MJ to make it more difficult for the Party to control online information flows within the country, even though CJ alone is unlikely to be a driving force in promoting social change in China. Meanwhile, CJ is also establishing itself as a vehicle for the expression of nationalistic sentiments.