Twitter mania seems to be worldwide, twitter among other new media types are becoming available to citizen journalists to use in their reporting in the Republic of China. With the introductions of these new media types, China is on the verge of social change. However, will the Communist party allow these changes for example some sites were forced to shut down temporary or face charges. In addition, the Chinese have not allowed twitter interface yet so twitter’s have to post through the UK.
This article is about new media types including twitter to the Republic of China. Citizen journalists feel they have a type of added security with twitter, for example they can leave a digital trial to be followed, if for some reason they are detained or arrested for their use of social media when reporting issues that are sensitive. Twitter’s impact is minimal at the present time since the Communist Party can cut internet to entire providences. However, this did not slow its use over cell phones, since this is already a main form of communication among the Chinese. Twitter has yet to become popular with the government even though they like to surf the net. Some predict that the internet restrictions will relax and sites forced to close will reopen after the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
So as long as twitter keeps making waves in the social pond of the People’s Republic of China than the government will have no choose but to recognize this type of media and maybe support or even start to use it. As long as the traditional media keeps falling short to fulfill their proper role and responsibilities then citizen journalists will continue to report on sensitive topics, civil unrest, to corrupt politicians.
References
Kuhn, A. (July 24, 2009). Twitter Seen As Tool for Social Change in China. NPR.org
Websites. Retrieved July 27, 2009. From the internet source listed
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106963768
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