Protocols of Control in Chinese Online News Media: the Case of Wenzhou News
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Protocols of Control in Chinese Online News Media: The Case of Wenzhou News A thesis submitted to the Department of Journalism Studies of the University of Sheffield, UK for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy presented by Yiran Zhao Supervisor: Dr. John Steel Sheffield, November 2015 Abstract This thesis explores censorship and self-censorship in online news production in China. It presents an analysis drawn from observation in the online newsroom and interviews with online news workers and cyber police officers in China. In addition, it studies the mechanisms of online censorship and protocols of news censorship in an online newsroom context. This involves an analysis of journalistic activities in the process of online news production, self-censorship of online news workers, and power flows between the Chinese authorities and online news media in determining the output of online news content. Although the Chinese “free press” is enshrined in the Constitution of The People’s Republic of China as a right, the mechanism of online news censorship is shaped under the influence of an anti-liberal theory of limited freedom of speech. Confucius, the proclaimer of this theory, devalues individual liberty, advocating the ‘right to speak’ is a benefaction of the ruling class, and this “freedom” can be compromised for the welfare of the state. It is a view shared by Confucius’ successors. This theory, therefore, conceptually sets up a distinctive paternalistic protocol of online news censorship in China, as the online news workers are instructed to censor and self-censor online content under the influence of administrative interference. Through thematic analysis of field notes, which covers a four-week period of observation and recording in the online newsroom of Wenzhou News, a local online news organisation in China, the hierarchical structure and general workflow in this online newsroom are 2 illustrated. By further analysing interviews conducted with online journalists, editors, web administrators and cyber police officers, this thesis draws on the perspectives of online news workers and censors towards the protocol of online news censorship, through which the power matrix between the Chinese government, the Communist Party of China, and online news media are triangulated. By analysing and constructing technological and social modes of censorship in the online environment, this thesis sets up a conceptual framework of the protocols of online news censorship in China, draws detailed processes of online news production under the pressure of censorship, and explores the concept of “harmonisation” within the online newsroom where specific ideological motivations and structural operationalisation influence the output of online news content. 3 Content Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 2 Content .......................................................................................................................... 4 Content of figures and tables ........................................................................................ 8 Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Objectives and research questions .................................................................. 9 1.2 Research Questions in focus .......................................................................... 11 1.2.1 The hierarchy of online news media................................................... 11 1.2.2 The Commentary function of online news workers ........................... 11 1.2.3 The role of the supervisor of online news production ....................... 12 1.2.4 Triangular model of online news censorship ...................................... 13 1.2.5 Protocols of online news censorship .................................................. 14 1.2.6 Perspectives of the censors (the cyber police) ................................... 15 1.3 The scope of the study ................................................................................... 16 1.4 Structure of the thesis ................................................................................... 18 Chapter 2 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................... 26 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 26 2.2 Defining censorship and self-censorship ....................................................... 28 2.3 Professionalism in Chinese journalism .......................................................... 31 2.4 Gatekeeping in Chinese news media ............................................................. 34 2.5 News values: the Communist Party’s interest as a news value ..................... 38 2.6 The Organisation of news and online news media in China .......................... 44 2.7 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 51 Chapter 3 Literature review ......................................................................................... 53 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 53 3.2 Confucianism and its relationship to freedom of speech and freedom of the press in China ....................................................................................................... 56 3.2.1 The divine theory and channelisation theory in Pre-Confucian times ...................................................................................................................... 56 3.2.2 Morality as the centre of Confucianism ............................................. 59 3.2.3 The Legacy of Confucius...................................................................... 62 3.3 Maoism, media control and propaganda before online news in China ........ 66 3.3.1 The May 4th Movement: introducing free speech and freedom of the press to China .............................................................................................. 66 3.3.2 The Communist Party’s criticism and self-criticism in journalism ...... 68 4 3.3.3 Propaganda in Communist China: nationalism and salvation in journalism .................................................................................................... 73 3.4 Social background of online censorship in China .......................................... 76 3.4.1 The Great Firewall and online Censorship .......................................... 76 3.4.2 The Internet in China in 2008 ............................................................. 82 3.4.3 Google China’s dispute with the Chinese government ...................... 89 3.4.4 Weibo and high profile scandals ......................................................... 94 3.4.5 The southern media .......................................................................... 109 3.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................... 111 Chapter 4 Methodology ............................................................................................. 114 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 114 4.2 Aims and scope ............................................................................................ 114 4.3 Theoretical Approach ................................................................................... 116 4.3.1 Research philosophy ......................................................................... 117 4.3.2 Framework ........................................................................................ 117 4.4 Observation .................................................................................................. 119 4.4.1 Aims and objectives .......................................................................... 119 4.4.2 Questions and focus.......................................................................... 121 4.4.3 Approach to observation .................................................................. 124 4.4.4 Choice of place .................................................................................. 125 4.4.5 Planning............................................................................................. 127 4.4.6 Pilot study ......................................................................................... 128 4.4.7 Limitations......................................................................................... 129 4.5 In-depth interviews ...................................................................................... 130 4.5.1 Aim and objectives ............................................................................ 130 4.5.2 Design ................................................................................................ 131 4.5.3 Participants and sampling ................................................................. 132 4.5.4 Interview guide ................................................................................. 136 4.5.5 Strategies and considerations in conducting interviews .................. 138 4.5.6 Pilot study ......................................................................................... 141 4.5.7 Limitations......................................................................................... 142