cnn.com
China Cracks Down on Online Negativity Amid Economic Slowdown
China's internet regulator launched a two-month campaign to curb pessimism and negativity on social media, fueled by economic downturn, high youth unemployment (18.9% in August), and declining consumer confidence, impacting growth targets.
- What is the primary cause of the Chinese government's new campaign targeting online negativity?
- The campaign is a direct response to widespread pessimism and negativity online, stemming from a prolonged economic slowdown. This is characterized by a property crisis, decreased consumer confidence, and a record-high youth unemployment rate of 18.9% in August, impacting growth targets.
- How does this campaign affect freedom of expression and the Chinese people's ability to express discontent?
- The campaign directly censors content deemed excessively negative, pessimistic, or expressing discontent with the economic situation. This includes the suppression of terms like "lying flat" and the removal of videos and social media accounts promoting such lifestyles. The campaign also targets content inciting group conflict or spreading fear and anxiety.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of this campaign on Chinese society and the government's legitimacy?
- While the campaign might temporarily alter online discourse, it is unlikely to address the underlying economic issues causing widespread pessimism. Continued suppression of dissent could further erode public trust and social stability, undermining the government's legitimacy in the long run, and may also lead to the evolution of new forms of online expression to circumvent censorship.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the Chinese government's crackdown on online negativity, acknowledging both the government's perspective and the underlying economic anxieties that fuel this negativity. However, the framing slightly emphasizes the government's actions by placing the announcement of the campaign early in the article and prominently featuring quotes from state-run media. This could unintentionally give more weight to the government's narrative than to the concerns of the Chinese citizens.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, striving to present facts without overt bias. However, terms like "scourge" and "crackdown" carry a negative connotation, which could subtly influence the reader's perception. More neutral alternatives could be 'campaign' instead of 'crackdown' and 'online expressions' instead of 'scourge'.
Bias by Omission
While the article comprehensively covers the government's actions and the economic context, it could benefit from including diverse voices beyond the government's statements and the expert opinion of Professor Chong. Including perspectives from ordinary Chinese citizens who are affected by the policies and the economic slowdown would provide a more complete picture. This omission is likely due to practical constraints of length and accessibility of sources, rather than intentional bias.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the Chinese government's crackdown on online negativity, which is a response to rising unemployment and economic downturn, particularly among young people. This censorship limits the expression of dissent and concerns about inequality, hindering efforts to address the root causes of economic disparity and social unrest. The campaign directly impacts the ability of citizens to voice their concerns regarding economic inequality and access to opportunities, thus negatively affecting progress towards SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).