Post on 01-Jan-2016
transcript
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Debate over “Civil Society” Pluralist or Corporatist? Civil society
A sphere of independent group activity Autonomous from the state Free from state domination
“Civil society” implies Pluralism A system of interest representation in which
Any group can freely form To express interests autonomous from state control
Corporatism A system of interest representation in which
Only certain groups are licensed by the state Accept limitations on their expression of interests
Practice question
China’s corporatist system of interest representation involves:
A Official recognition and licensing of approved social organizations in exchange for limitations on organizations’ demands and activities.
B Requirements for official government sponsorship, registration with civil affairs officials, and minimum registered capital requirements
C Permission for multiple, competing social organizations for students, workers, and other groups to exist in any given location.
D a and b. E None of the above.
Correct answer: D
Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Liu Xiaobo “God’s present to China” “The internet has made it easier to obtain
information, contact the outside world and submit articles to overseas media. It is like a super-engine that makes my writing spring out of a well. The internet is an information channel that the Chinese dictators cannot fully censor, allowing people to speak and communicate, and it offers a platform for spontaneous organisation.”
China Urges Europeans to Boycott Nobel Ceremony (NY Times 11/5/10) Nicholas Bequelin
“The police know these people are not going to cause the collapse of the Communist Party, but this is all about information control.”
Media expansion6
TV and radio Approx. 1,000 TV stations
Print 2,035 newpapers (2003) (Liebman, p. 17)
Internet 300 million internet users (1 in 4 Chinese) as of
2008 Increase of 42% over 2007 Largest # of users in world as of 2008 400 million users as of 2010 World’s largest internet market
Debate over VIRTUAL Civil Society:Pluralist or Corporatist? 7
Is the Internet a virtual civil society? How autonomous?
Internet idealistsvs. Internet pessimists
Debate over VIRTUAL Civil Society:Pluralist or Corporatist? Is the Internet a
virtual civil society? The Google
Controversy
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Addressing the debates9
What is the role of the Internet specifically?
Specific debates: Xiao (2008) argues that print and broadcast
media are severely constrained but that the internet is not.
“Rising public opinion through online forums and blogs…are remaking the public agenda.”
“Newfound freedoms have developed in spite of stringent government efforts to control the medium… seriously eroding the party-state censorship mechanism.”
Addressing the debate10
What is the role of the media in China’s governing system?
Can the media perform a watchdog function?
Specific debates: Daniel Lynch (1999), Bruce Gilley (2004)
argue that media commercialization has allowed for the loosening of the CCP's control
Zhao Yuezhi (1998), Ashley Esarey (2005) argue that media commercialization has only changed the forms of control utilized by the CCP
Reporters Without Borders’ 2005 Worldwide Press Freedom Index places China at 159 out of 167 countries
358 TV stations and 2,119 newspapers
http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2006/imprisoned_06/imprisoned_06.html
A Banner Too Far: Bao Tong on the 17th Party Congress (Oct ’07)
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“Why is it that the crucial roles played by the media and the creative arts, that of exposing the dark side of our society, are now regarded as the epitome of treason, and are being choked off, one by one? Why has the publications inspection system which caused Marx such a headache been turned by Communist Party leaders into the art of maintaining power?
These and so many other similar questions are studiously avoided by the documents of the 17th Party Congress. They aren't raised, they aren't analyzed, and they aren't answered. The documents don't answer the question of how to turn this country into a genuine republic, not just in name only; neither do they address the question of how to ensure that ordinary citizens genuinely have the right to exercise state power.
He wrote this essay, broadcast by Radio Free Asia's Mandarin service, from his Beijing home, where he has lived under house arrest since his release from jail in the wake of the 1989 student movement:
Case 1: Wenchuan Earthquake, May 12, 2008Case 2: Sun ZhigangCase 3: “Tabloid” journalism
Bringing evidence to the debates
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Political Aspects of Media Coverage following the Wenchuan Earthquake Media coverage
Freedom vs. control Nationalism
Double-edged sword Trust in government and political
legitimacy Central vs. local governments
Media coverage: freedom vs. control following the Wenchuan Earthquake Unprecedented “freedom” in media
coverage of earthquake: How did it come about? Natural—not man-made disaster Sheer magnitude of the event
Initial break-down of standard controls Subsequent loosening Reassertion of control
Media coverage: freedom vs. control following the Wenchuan Earthquake
Media outlets under dual controls Chinese Communist Party—sets content
guidelines Politburo Propaganda Department
Chinese Government—controls licensing State Council General Administration of Press and Publication
Media coverage: freedom vs. control following the Wenchuan Earthquake Jobs on the line
Personal responsibility for failures in censorship Editors removed
Beijing News 2005 Papers closed
“Freezing Point” 2006
Only one instance in immediate earthquake aftermath
New Travel Weekly (Chongqing) Publication suspended Editor removed
Media coverage: freedom vs. control following the Wenchuan Earthquake
“Propaganda circulars” Specific instructions on how to handle sensitive
topics or specific news stories Content from New China News Agency (ex: train
derailment) May 12: “No media is allowed to send reporters
to the disaster zone.” Editors recalled reporters or did not dispatch
reporters Some reporters went as individuals no byline
Oriental Morning Post (Shanghai) 东方早报 Others led to “collective resistance” to prohibition
May 14: “Reporters going to the disaster zone must move about with rescue team.”
Media coverage: freedom vs. control
Reassertion of controls Party-state promoted
Celebration of Premier Wen Jiabao
People’s Daily front page 1 week later
Government authority in quake zone
Liberation Daily front page May 21, 2008
Get back to work Sensitive issues
suppressed Allegations of corruption
in school construction Violent protests against
local governments by parents of lost children
Media coverage: freedom vs. control following the Wenchuan Earthquake Role of the
Internet Unseemly that
the Olympic torch should continue in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake
Policy reversed
Nationalism in the media: Double-edged sword
Tremendous national spirit “Go China!” 加油中国 ! Ex: Donations
Money, blood, volunteer efforts
Anti-foreign sentiment MacDonald’s
Criticized for paltry donation to relief effort
Minister of Commerce Chen Deming
Defending foreign corporations in China
Note also internet criticisms of Chinese corporations
Attempts to Promote Trust in Government and Political Legitimacy through the Media
Trust in the central government
Distrust in local government
5 月 13 日 “我是温家宝爷爷,孩子们一定要挺住…”May 13 “ I’m Grandpa Wen Jiabao. Children [you] must
hold on…”
Xiamen PX Factory
PX Chemical Factory—relocated Citizens in Xiamen
Worried about air pollution, smokestacks, poisonous gas
Let’s collectively take a walk, maybe we will meet a mayor who listens.
Shanghai Maglev Extension Case Citizens protest maglev
extension January 6, 2008 Middle class homeowners
Texting: collectively taking a walk 集体散步
Blogging Video posted on internet
Subsequently banned by Internet police
Southern Metropolis Daily (newspaper) only Chinese media that
reported this incident
Shanghai Maglev Extension Case
Citizen blog post Mr. Zhou [a member of
Shanghai government's evaluation team] mentioned ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) and said that this organization has reported that this is harmless and that is harmless. This is really strange. We ordinary citizens can also read English. What we have seen in ICNRP documents details all kinds of harmful effects of electric and magnetic radiation. A lot of research, including biological research and volunteered human subjects research, all showed enormous risks in such an environment.
Shanghai Maglev Extension Case Southern Metropolis Daily
‘Two days ago, the plan for the western extended line of the Maglev project began to be publicized. In order to peacefully express themselves, residents along the line came to People’s Square and expressed their opinion about Maglev line passing through their own neighborhood using the method of “taking a walk” and “shopping.” Citizens say: this is one way to express opinions.’
Shanghai Maglev Extension Case Shanghai government’s
official media site: EastNet “There are people who
want Shanghai in chaos. Now, some foreigners are playing up the Maglev project, spreading some malicious rumors. Some domestic people also follow them to make a fuss. Goodhearted people must not to fall into their trap.”
Shanghai Maglev Extension Case http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mUXGiuydqiM&feature=player_embedded
Project withdrawn Also resisted by Ministry of Railways
Sun Zhigang case
Landmark eventnow memorialized in the unofficial “Museum of Peasant Labor” in Beijing.
“He died for us.”
Sun Zhigang case
Background Household
registration system (internal passport system)
Rural migrant workers require temporary resident permits to reside in cities
Apartheid like system Abused by employers
Sun Zhigang
Personal details 27-year college graduate in graphic
design from Wuhan who went to Guangzhou to work
Picked up by police upon entering Internet café because he didn’t have a temporary residence permit or ID with him
Called friend to bring his ID
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Sun Zhigang
“Custody and Repatriation ( 收容遣送 ) Center In principle for homeless beggars
Authorized by State Council regulations Used to harass migrant workers
Extort fines Detain in squalid conditions
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Sun Zhigang
Circumstances Sun beaten to death in detention center (March
2003) Likely for challenging detention
Media as (extra-legal) recourse Parents notified of death three days later Parents personally sought explanation from
government bureaus in Guangzhou—with no results Went to Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolitan
Daily) when they couldn’t get answers Reported story (April 2003)
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Sun Zhigang
Internet as (extra-legal) recourse Web sites picked up story Led to outrage on bulletin boards, in chat
rooms
Public discussion of “Custody and Repatriation System”
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Sun Zhigang
Citizen petition to National People’s Congress on constitutionality three individuals with Ph.D. degrees in law
from Beijing University re-examine the constitutionality of the 1982
“Measures for the Custody of Repatriation of Vagrant Beggars in the Cities.” Administrative Punishment Law, Legislature Law
deprivation of a citizen’s freedom can be done only by laws passed by the National People’s Congress or its Standing Committee.
Not State Council or provincial regulations
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Shourong Qiansong system abolished and replaced by milder Measures for Internment and Deportation of Urban Vagrants and Beggars—not for migrant workers
What is behind the abolition?
Media and internet!
C&R regulations abolished June 2003However, NO reference to constitutionality
Sun Zhigang
Subsequent results Those directly involved in Sun Zhigang’s
beating death were tried in criminal court and sentenced to death (sentence commuted to life in prison)
Editors of Southern Metropolis Daily ( 南方都市报) subsequently removed from their positions on trumped up corruption charges
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Background: Symbolic commitment to press freedom, free expression43
PRC Constitution Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens Article 35
Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Article 19
Freedom to seek, receive, impart information and ideas China has signed but not ratified
What difference does this make—if any? “Village Tyrant”
Southern Weekend reference to int’l coventions p. 61
Corporatist Controls:Entities Involved in Internet Regulation44
• Central Propaganda Department • Department of Commerce • Department of Telecommunications • General Administration of Press and Publications • Ministry of Culture • Ministry of Information Industry • Ministry of Public Security • Public Security Bureau • State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television • State Council • State Council Information Agency • State Secrets Bureau
Corporatist and other controls
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Corporatist controls on the media and internet Standard controls
Party membership Nomenklatura of the Central Propaganda
Department (replicated at lower levels) CCTV, People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency
Double-hatting Central Propaganda Department instructions Propaganda circulars (PCs), specific
instructions on how to handle sensitive topics or specific news stories for the media. Content must come directly from national media
organizations like Xinhua, People’s Daily, or CCTV
Corporatist and other controls
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General Administration of Press and PublicationRegistration
Newspapers, Internet Service Providers Government sponsor—held responsible Provide identity papers for editorial and technical
staff Reporters
Examination and licensing by state
Corporatist and other controlsPolicing Special police unit Fines, shutdowns,
detentions, arrests*stiff fines for
violations* more than 60
Chinese serving prison sentences for Internet-based political crimes (HRW ’05)
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A public security official examines the identity of a Chinese surfer at an internet café (Lagerkvist 2010)
Corporatist and other controls
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Content Self monitoring
Must monitor content, prevent publication of prohibited material, remove and report any prohibited materials
Restricted content and likely targets Threatens the unity, sovereignty, geographical integrity
of the state Uighurs, Indep East Turkestan; Tibetans; Taiwanese
Reveals state secrets, threatens state security, or harms national interests state regulation
Propagates superstitution falungong
Harms racial unity Threatens social morality pornography
Corporatist and other controls
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Limitations “state secrets”
Vague, ill-defined Allows government discretion, manipulation
1997 Penal Code Article 105: penalizing those subverting the political
power of the state Public Security Administration Punishment Law
Article 25: detention of citizens spreading rumors that disturb public order
Jinan flood (Summer 2007)
Corporatist and other controls General Administration of Press and
Publication government's main regulator of the press March 10, 2010
restrict media coverage of politically sensitive events limit uncontrolled news reporting on China's fast-growing
Internet.
new qualification exam for aspiring journalists test them on their knowledge of
Chinese Communist Party journalism" and Marxist views of news. Journalists who do not pass the exam will not be
allowed to apply for a job in the news industry.
Media commercialization: Incentives to push the boundaries or to self-censor? 51
Financial incentives Institutional
Circulation, advertising Individual journalist
Salary linked publications (must get past censors)
Regular re-licensing Relationship to censors
Media as the mouthpiece of the Party
1. News media must reflect the Party’s guiding ideology;
2. News media must disseminate the Party’s programs, policies, and directives;
3. News media must accept the Party’s leadership and subscribe to the Party’s organizational principles and press policies.
Economic Approach to Censorship
Commercialization What means for improving the effectiveness of
party propaganda and regime legitimacy? Print media at the city, provincial, and central
level reorganized into media conglomerates or media “groups” - financially strengthen the media industry and politically consolidate leadership.
Monetary incentives: performance bonuses for getting stories
published (past censors)
Economic Approach to Censorship
Commercialization Incentives to push the boundaries
Labor disputes, corruption, and health epidemics, etc. SELL PAPERS
Publish “muck-racking” stories about other jurisdictions Would have to attract higher level party attention to
shut down
Hypothesis
Due to commercialization, the Chinese press has been more daring and critical within certain boundaries.
Semi-commercial papers more commercial more critical
Official papers less commercial less critical
Official
Shandong Workers Daily
Shandong Legal Daily
Semi-commercial
Qilu Evening Newspaper
Methodology Representative
sample of newspaper coverage of labor disputes to test hypothesis
Shandong Province in 2000
Methodology II
Content Analysis (quantitative) Portrayal of institutions
1. Labor Bureau ( 勞動局 ) 2. Arbitration Committee ( 仲裁委員會 )3. Court ( 法院 )
Discourse Analysis (Qualitative) 2 articles (one from semi-commercial
with negative portrayal and one from official with positive portrayal of institutions) for close readings
Preliminary Findings: Labor Bureau ( 勞動局 )
OfficalorSemi * Ldjportr Crosstabulation
Count
4 3 6 21 34
4 3 6 129 142
8 6 12 150 176
0
1
OfficalorSemi
Total
1 2 3 9
Ldjportr
Total
Case Processing Summary
176 100.0% 0 .0% 176 100.0%OfficalorSemi * LdjportrN Percent N Percent N Percent
Valid Missing Total
Cases
Chi-Square Tests
18.425a 3 .000
15.230 3 .002
17.985 1 .000
176
Pearson Chi-Square
Likelihood Ratio
Linear-by-LinearAssociation
N of Valid Cases
Value dfAsymp. Sig.
(2-sided)
4 cells (50.0%) have expected count less than 5. Theminimum expected count is 1.16.
a.
Positive portrayal by semi-commercial (11.76%)
Positive portrayal by official (2.82%)
Negative portrayal by semi-commercial (8.82%)
Negative portrayal by official (2.32%)
Will the Boat Sink the Water?
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Investigative journalism in Anhui Province Nov ’03 magazine Dangdai Dec ’03 People’s Literature Pub. House
Huge media sensation Banned after 250,000 copies sold Millions more sold illicitly
Chen Guidi forced to resign Sued by local official for libel Interviews: Peasant authors Chen
Guidi and Wu Chuntao RFA Unplugged, May 23, 2007
Will the Boat Sink the Water?
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Will the Boat Sink the Water? “Village Tyrant” 1998 Initial role of media
County TV, provincial newspapers “manslaughter” in “civic dispute”
“The Press Arrive at Last” Anhui branch of Xinhua News Agency
“These articles finally set the true facts of the killings in Zhang Village before the public, defeating all the cover-up attempts of the Guzhen County and Bengbu Municipal party authorities.” p. 57
China Central Television Southern Weekend Democracy and Law
“With the media’s attention now focused on the crime and numerous articles appearing in the national press, the case of peasants being killed because they wanted to audit the village books could not be covered up any longer. Only then did things take a turn for the better.” p. 61
Additional information 64
Keller Human Rights in China Trends Bulletin
“Media censorship intensifies with continued crackdowns,” February 2007
Council on Foreign Relations “Media Censorship in China”, September
‘06 Freedom House
"Speak No Evil: Mass Media Control in Contemporary China," February 2006
Two Crises Highlight China's Social Media Struggles Two Crises Highlight China's Social Media
Struggles by LOUISA LIM “Weibo now has become the public sphere
of Chinese politics. It has become a market of rumors.”
- Michael Anti, a columnist who closely tracks the Twitter-like service
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/30/151670969/after-dissident-escapes-china-clamps-down-on-social-media