BEIJING, Jan 10 -- Online spokespersons, online press conferences, and reporting abuse of power through the Internet symbolized the formation of an online dialogue mechanism between the Chinese government and netizens. The Chinese government at all levels actively sought solutions to sensitive problems and strived to find ways to cope with emergencies more effectively. Numerous netizens also considered things and rationally expressed their opinions, resulting in the formation of this mechanism.
This type of satisfying interaction has led to a "win-win result." In other words, the government is now building a brand new online opinion response mechanism in an attempt to respect public opinion and improve their capacity of governance. Netizens have also actively participated in public affairs and balanced rights and responsibilities, which will inevitably increase the level of society's political civilization.
Public deliberation: The Internet leaves much room for public deliberation
Since the start of opening up and reform, a diverse society has been taking shape in China. Diversity has brought about a dynamic society and many complicated contradictions. As a fundamental mechanism which facilitates the smooth operation of a modern society, public deliberation is increasingly important.
The Internet is not only the result of a great technological revolution, but also a facilitator of social change. Facing complicated contradictions and conflicts, an Internet-based information exchange platform has left much room for public deliberation.
In 2009, successful "online dialogues" made us understand that communication and information exchange based on equality, rationality, openness and seeking common ground while accepting existing differences, are now paving the way for more transparent information, expression of opinions, consensus on public interests, and respect for personalized demand.
In this age of the Internet, people know more about self-determination while better understanding and respecting others. On the basis of rational thinking and practical rationality, a deliberation mechanism and harmonious relations among different people has been established.
When the general public directly participates in social analysis, social supervision, social construction and social deliberation, a civil society where the rights and status of citizens are respected and protected will take shape.
Gao Gang, secretary of the CPC Committee of the School of Journalism and Communication at Renmin University of China
Third-party investigations: Dispelling doubts at a low cost
Establishing third party investigation, and letting netizens directly participate in procedures will allow the truth to fully emerge. It is a special method that the government has adopted during its interaction with netizens in 2009 to solve the credibility crisis. It was also a good and innovative example of Internet politics.
After analyzing the "Hide-and-Seek incident," "Fishing-Style Law Enforcement incident" and the "Xu Baobao incident," we can find an identical track. Results of the governmental department's initial investigations were queried by the public and were spread throughout the Internet causing the case to become a nationwide topic. Facing the public concern, the government led various circles of society in an independent re-investigation, the original conclusions were refuted, and the truth emerged.
This is a win-win result. For the government, it fixed the crisis and regained trust at a relatively low cost. For netizens and the media, they practiced participating in public affairs and exercised their right of supervision. Meanwhile, they were well informed.
However, this should not be a makeshift system and we need to consider and re-design relevant systems. For example, the government now investigates itself and this problem must be solved. A third party investigation system and a system of people's congress, as well as existing judicial system should be effectively integrated.
Xu Hong, professor and executive deputy director of the School of Journalism and Communication at Peking University
Opinion leader: Mainstream media should not be silent
In the age of media access for everyone where numerous Internet reporters or civilian reporters disclose news in real time, professional media institutions have a lot to do. Due to the low threshold for modern communication technology, true and false news intermingle. When breaking new is spreading, we hope that professional institutions can follow up and take a closer look in their reports, providing comprehensive, accurate and balanced news services. In 2009, mainstream media played an important role in this regard, but not without errors or faults, which should more closely monitored in 2010.
With hot issues debated on the Internet or in society, if the mainstream media keeps silent over these issues, it is the same as letting it go unchecked, which will cause chaos in communication. We cherish the courage to speak, but we should also be good at speaking, which entails a rigorous attitude and professional qualities in order to enhance its persuasiveness in the media area where everyone can speak.
Deng Xinxin, Professor and Director of the Department of Communication at Communication University of China
Society's participation: Netizens become more rational and orderly
The interaction between a collective of netizens and the government started from the "South China Tiger Incident" in 2006. But it was 2009 when this interaction became a powerful driving force.
From the "Hide-and-Seek incident" to the "Deng Yujiao incident," and then to the "Panyu Garbage Burning Plant incident," we saw how netizens were growing, improving and progressing during their interaction with the government. Their online behavior developed from a "tryout" at the beginning of 2009, to a "loud and noisy" way in the middle of the year, and finally to a "rational, peaceful and orderly" way at the end of the year. Governmental countermeasures also changed from "passive defensive" to "facing it actively, sincerely and frankly." Both sides are trying to communicate with each other in a rational and peaceful way, and they will also be able to perfect themselves during the exchange.
Rationality and order are the goals we should always pursue, but we also noticed some irrational behavior from netizens. For example, some netizens claimed that they will participate in social cases in a "big-killing" way. This is an impulsive and blind behavior that needs our attention.
Shan Guangnai, researcher at the Institute of Sociology under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
How online appeals should be dealt with tests the government's administrative capacity
The Internet is an open, interactive and comprehensive world, and is now changing society's political ecology. It is of great significance to China's current society. Far-sighted politicians should go with the current of the times, and promote citizens' right to know, participate, express and supervise in administrative ideas and properly protect them. The Internet has become a new platform to test these administrative ideas.
Will they use all kinds of methods to escape from netizens and even think of returning to the "world without the Internet," or will they actively respond to the requirements of the central government and properly treat and use online public opinion? The question is a practical test on the administrative ideas and capacities of cadres and officials at all levels.
In this way, we can say that these online dialogues are important witnesses to the development of China's contemporary politics. The dialogues show that after citizens become netizens, their behaviors may somewhat change, but they will still bear rationality and responsibility. Cadres and officials should actively respond to netizens' appeals in the age of the Internet. It is not only an innovation of administrative style, but also a great progress of political civilization in the new era.
Yu Jianrong, director of the Research Center for Social Issues under the Institute of Rural Development, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
(Source: People's Daily)
