My comment: I have participated only in one debate. It was not about
any incident but about traffic rules and constructions in Beijing. I
have to say that, in my opinion, it helps authorities to make
decissions closer to civilians wishes and it helps civilians to
achieve the way of life that we want.
Also, at work, I have to participate in economic debates several times
a week. However they are for workers in Peking university or
associated university and college teams across the globe. I guess they
are not included in this article.
Peace and best wishes.
Xi
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
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