Chinese Netizens' Collective Deliberation on Bystander Controversies and the Role of Micro-blogging

Abstract

The fundamental goal of this research is to explore the role played by micro-blogging in governance in China. Employing data from major micro-blogging platforms, traditional News Streams and Government Information resources, the researchers analyzed how Chinese Netizens deliberated on four controversial traffic accidents that had happened in China from 2006-2012 on major micro-blogging platforms. Specific attentions were paid to the role played by micro-blogging in (1) information sharing; (2) collective reflection and deliberation; (3) potential impacts on government agencies and governance in China. Findings demonstrate that micro-blogging platforms are becoming the leading channels and new public sphere for the general public to actively discuss, collectively reflect and systematic deliberate on public affairs and potential changes in governance in China. The implications of such deliberation on potential role played by social media in future governance changes and collective action are presented in the end.