Chinese Media Power and Control

Chinese Media Power and Control SHI SHANGYUN Abstract Taking Chinese media power and control as the research objective and project title. This research paper analyzes the Chinese media status quo in modernization society and the relationship between government and media in China. Then the Chinese media development trend and the Chinese people’s idea of media are discussed in this paper. Chapter 1: Introduction Type of project : research paper Subject : Chinese media power and control Research questions: What is the relationship between Chinese media and government? What is media current situation in China? Background of Chinese media China is glamoured through its governance of a socialism , making it a unique structure among its surrounding partners in the global map. With its rich history , the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committed to the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist emphasis on the central control of the press as a tool for public education, propaganda, and mass mobilization. The entire operation of China’s modern media is based upon the foundation of â€Å"mass line† governing theory. Significance of study: The significant element of this research is to seek the fact masked behind face of media in China. Chinese media is closely related to the government; Therefore the Chinese media is changing, because the economic and political system of China is continuing towards reform. But it is impossible that Chinese government loosen the macro control for media, because in modern politics the government engages through media to connect people. The real innovation of Chinese media is extremely difficult to do. In most countrys’ , the media covers an extreme level of morality, freedom of press and unification of thoughts, but Chinese news is based on secrecy and power politics which is driven through governmental controls. . Even so, Chinese new media power cannot be ignored. The Chinese new media industry has experienced strong growth in the recent years, hence creating a breakthrough point for modern Chinese media vehicles. Nowadays information is transmitted in numerous ways through high speed technology developed network. New media can do lots of different things that the traditional media cannot do in China. This project is through the basic research aspect to find significant information to define the form and direction of Chinese media. The main direction will be associated with the government and media in China. Scope and Limitation of Project: The research objective of this project is probing into the Chinese media in relation to government. I will describe and analyze five articles and retrospective news information through literature review to make the reader conscious of the particularity of Chinese media. Pertaining to government control and effect to media changes. In addition, this paper also use qualitative research via interview a newspaper editor in chief and a ordinary citizen who is not very care about political and media. It can understand the perspective on Chinese media and government control of personal opinions from two kinds of people in China. They will provide different interview content in this research paper. Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Introduction In this chapter, I will do the literature review. The current situation of Chinese media is introduced in first article. The second article provides the condition of control of traditional media in China. And then I will explain the control of new media in third article. The next is the query to government and media from Chinese people. Finally, the article evaluate some development trends of Chinese media. 2.2 Wang (2014) written about the Chinese media status quo in his article, â€Å" A Brief Guide to China’s Media Landscape – February 2014.† Wang in this article use some date show that the traditional media did not occupy the main steam. The most famous newspaper People’s Daily in China is 2.8 million copies sold a year. Growing number of people do not like the official of speech in the traditional media. In China, the development of online media almost completely limited the prospects for traditional media. And the number of Internet users in China had hit 604 million with mobile phones becoming the favored means of accessing the web until now. The author Wang said that Sina Weibo is one of the most popular Chinese social network sites. It is a micro blog has over 500 million registered users and 65 million active users daily. According to recent reports released by China Internet Network Information Center, 22.8% netizens reduced their usage of Weibo, inclu ding visits from mobile devices. It can be caused by many different reasons. But a significant reason is government combined with Sina to repress the dissidents and restrict the free speech in 2013. This behavior caused the majority of Internet users dissatisfaction. Many users feel very disappointed for Weibo. China is still has control over freedom of speech. 2.3 An online editor Xu (2014) explained lots of useful knowledge about Chinese new media in his article called â€Å" Media censorship in China.† he did a very detailed briefing. The Chinese government has long kept tight reins on both traditional and new media to avoid potential subversion of its authority. This often entails strict media controls using monitoring systems, shuttering publications or websites, and jailing dissident journalists, bloggers, and activists. Xu argues that the freedom of Chinese media is at the bottom of list in the countries all over the world. China is almost one of the most countries without freedom of speech. The Chinese government is hope to take control of the new media very much. Chinese government always use their own monitors to guarantee political acceptability of the content for the new media. Because the Chinese authorities want to control the access of their citizens. Xu gave some example, on the network some words are involved in politica lly sensitive are masked. If you search something in politically sensitive, most websites will not come out. Some words such as the Falun Gong cult and Tiananmen Square Indecent. They also established what is known as the great firewall to impeding many foreign sites. It is including many news sites, Facebook and so on. I began to use Facebook and Youtube after I arrived in Singapore. I knew and understood many things which in China can not see in Singapore. Chinese people are in some places to offline the world because of the closure of media information. 2.4 Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world. They put an article titled â€Å" Media Control in China: A Model of Complexity and Thoroughness † in their website. This article detailedly defines the traditional media control in China. The article describe that the traditional media must reflexively defer to government. Its almost impossible to publish sensitive articles in traditional media. The traditional media such as television, newspaper and radio are the propaganda tools controlled by all levels of government. Chinese state leaders utilize control of the media to publicize positive views of the political party and government and vilify those who are considered be their enemies. The CCP maintains direct control over news media coverage through its Central Propaganda Department. For example, a newspaper chief editor usually receive some messages about what cannot be reported on newspaper from propaganda de partment of the city. And the official news in China central television that usually strives to downplay bad new and tell the good news. Generally prohibited topics include larger autonomy in Xinjiang and Tibet, relations with Taiwan, the prominent dissident writings and so on. Traditional media is more closed and limited compared to new media. 2.5 In a news article which written by a former editor Keatley (2013), we can found that the perspective of Chinese citizens on the media in his article â€Å" Press Freedom and Reform in China.† Keatley argues that some government behaviors has given rise to many discontent. In fact, Chinese people very hate government do content examination to print media, movies and TV program. They want to expose the truth of society and history, rather than always conceal various misbehavior of government. For instance, Southern Weekly known as one of most daring publications in China. It planned a New Year’s editorial calling for something the ruling party finds dangerous—letting people enjoy the many freedoms guaranteed by the state constitution but never permitted in real life in 2013. Because of this bold statement, the chief editor of Southern Weekly detained by the police after few days. Many people protest this government action. A well-known film actress who blogged stan d for protesting journalists was examined. Although increasingly violent official purging, people have lots of complaints about party and state malpractice. I think many normal people has grown even more cynical about self-interested bureaucrats who too usually use high position to enrich themselves, friends and relatives. More citizens require open and serious economic and political reforms. Chinese government face huge pressure from public opinion in network. I believe that most Chinese people thinking is free, just the party want to control people’s mind. 2.6 Dalusong (2012) defined China media system in his article titled â€Å"Media System in China and Philippines, the difference, and similarities.† Dalusong has some thoughts for the development trend of China. References http://www.pressreference.com/Be-Co/China.html http://www.danwei.com/a-brief-guide-to-chinas-media-landscape-february-2014/ http://www.freedomhouse.org/blog/media-control-china-model-complexity-and-thoroughness#.U2yFDvnUMkI http://www.cfr.org/china/media-censorship-china/p11515 http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/press-freedom-reform-china-7999 http://eijie09.tumblr.com/post/18985129114 http://westernexperience.wordpress.com/2010/05/17/typical-hand-ringing-and-liberal-moral-relativism-on-full-international-display/

The Reference of Theoretical Terms :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

The Reference of Theoretical Terms ABSTRACT: A popular explanation of the success of theories of science is that of scientific realism. It maintains, besides that the theories of a mature science are typically approximately true, that observational terms and theoretical terms refer to or denote entities. Therefore it is part of the realistic claim that "reference" explains "success." But if the realist is not able to clarify "reference" and a fortiori the reference on theoretical objects, the realist comes to a vicious circle, for there is no further criterion as the success of the theory to show that the term is referential. So it is necessary to clarify the notion "reference." Needless to say, "reference" is a relational term; but it easily becomes a problem that we are not only habituated to imagine the elation but we are convinced that a relation is just a relation between entities in a strict (viz., Quinian) sense. There are different kinds of references. For example, one is usually called "intentionality." If we , considering the traditional separation between reference and meaning, analyze meaning, we will find at least one referential component (intentional object). Such a referential process is not a meaningless aspect of linguistic reference, but now and then is the subject of the kind of relation called "denotation." The notion of meaning and the concept of reference are nonsubstantial constructions of interpretation. Nevertheless, I argue for a reference-theoretical approach. A popular explanation for the success of scientific theories is made by presupposing scientific realism. The realist's thesis maintains that typically the theories of "mature" science are approximately true and that observational terms and theoretical terms do actually refer, i.e. they denote entities. Therefore, it is part and parcel of the realistic claim that it is "reference" which explains theory "success". But if we or the realist are not able to clarify what "reference" is and a fortiori cannot specify the reference to theoretical "objects", we, and especially the realist, become entangled in a vicious circle, without any further independent criterion — apart from the success of the theory — which shows that the term is indeed a referring term. It is therefore clearly necessary to clarify the notion of reference. Needless to say, "reference" is a relational term; but immediately a problem arises here namely, that we not only habitually imagine the relata, but we are also convinced that a relation can only be a relation between entities in a strict (Quinean) sense.

The Art of Rhetoric in the Metamorphoses

The Art of Rhetoric in the Metamorphoses Among the numerous passages covered in The Metamorphoses of Ovid, there are many stories regarding the origins of the Earth, the activities of the Roman gods, and some of Rome’s significant rulers and founders. Within each of these stories, Ovid injects an overall idea that can be taken away from the text. Many of these overall ideas are themes and lessons, but also there are arts that are illustrated to the reader such as poetry, singing, or weaving. One idea in particular that Ovid portrays is the art of Rhetoric in Greco-Roman culture.Rhetoric was used in Greco-Roman culture often as a means of putting together words in a certain order to persuade or inform your audience of a specific idea. The two stories regarding the discussion between Ajax and Ulysses over Achilles armor exemplifies the idea of rhetoric. Ovid uses the episodes of Ajax and Ulysses in book thirteen f the Metamorphoses to illustrate to the readers the art of rhetori c. Ovid draws upon previous texts covered in class such as Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid to form some of his stories in the Metamorphoses. However, Ovid’s style of writing is much different than that of Homer and Virgil.Homer and Virgil both write about post Trojan War events, but from two different perspectives, the Greeks and the Trojans respectively. Despite their difference in perspective, their style is the same in that they both focus on the glorification of war. They both portray violent events vividly and give praise to war heroes. Ovid, on the other hand, talks about certain parts in the Odyssey and the Aeneid that Homer and Virgil did not discuss such as the rescue of Achaemenides, the crewman Ulysses left behind on the island of Polyphemus, in book fourteen.Ovid seems to dismiss the glorification of war and briefly pass over violent scenes or portray them in a different, more comical, manner. Rather Ovid focuses on the arts of Greco-Roman cultur e. Ovid focuses on stories of Mythology concerning poetry, singing, crafting, and even the art of rhetoric. Rhetoric is â€Å"the study and practice of effective communication,† (Nordquist). There are three types of rhetoric employed: epideictic, judicial, and deliberative. These three branches of rhetoric can be used in various ways to communicate to your audience.Epideictic rhetoric is the commemoration or blame of an individual. Epideictic rhetoric is often used in â€Å"funeral orations, obituaries, graduation and retirement speeches, letters of recommendation, and nominating speeches at political conventions,† (Nordquist). Judicial rhetoric is â€Å"primarily employed by lawyers in trials decided by a judge or jury,† (Nordquist). Deliberative rhetoric is the use of communication to persuade or dissuade an individual or audience of a statement or action.Ovid does not only use the three branches of rhetoric however, he also shows the use of a technique called amplification and minimization through Ajax and Ulysses which is essentially amplifying good qualities and minimizing bad qualities. The technique of amplification and minimization goes hand in hand with deliberative and epideictic rhetoric. Ovid employs all three branches of rhetoric in his stories of Ajax and Ulysses to demonstrate their arguments and to illustrate the art of rhetoric itself. The bulk of Ovid’s illustration of rhetoric is contained within the stories of Ajax and Ulysses in book thirteen.After the Trojan War is over, the Greeks set aside Achilles’ armor and decide, through a debate, who the receiver of the armor will be. The two in debate over the armor are Ajax and Ulysses. Both employ deliberative rhetoric as their means of persuading the audience to decide who will keep the armor, but they also use the other branches as well to strengthen their argument. The discussion between the two as a whole is a deliberative and judicial rhetoric battle, but both make use of epideictic rhetoric to strengthen their positions.Ajax is the first to present his argument. Immediately Ajax makes use of epideictic rhetoric by slandering Ulysses’ actions, â€Å"he was one who did not hesitate to beat retreat when he was forced to face the torches Hector threw, while I withstood those deadly flames: the fleet was only rescued because of me,† (Ovid 427). Ajax gives evidence that Ulysses was a coward by exposing his retreat in the face of Hector. He also uses amplification and minimization to show how detrimental it was that Ulysses fled, and how great it was that Ajax held his position.Ajax then uses another epideictic statement when he brings in his heritage: And even if you were to doubt my courage, it’s I who claim the nobler lineage. I am the son of Telamon, the friend who helped the sturdy Hercules destroy the walls of Troy and, then, in Jason’s ship, sailed off and reached the distant coast of Colchis. And Telamon was born of Aeacus, who is a judge whitin the silent world—precisely in the place where Sisyphus, the son of Aeolus, must struggle with the weight of his great stone; and Aeacus was born of Jove—as Jove himself admits. (Ovid 427-428) Once again Ajax draws upon a feature that will increase his deservingness.Throughout the rest of his presentation, Ajax continually employs epideictic rhetoric to commemorate his actions and defame those of Ulysses. The use of only one dimension of the three branches of rhetoric by Ajax shows that the body of his presentation is insulting Ulysses. This weakens Ajax’s argument, â€Å"Many amateur rhetors think of debate as an ‘us-versus-them’ sort of affair, and that the readers who disagree are the enemy whose inferior arguments must be ground into the dirt. Accordingly, they mistakenly believe that ridiculing or attacking these mistaken beliefs is the most effective way to ‘win’ the argument,† (Whe eler).The constant insults diminish in value in their numerous quantities. Ulysses is fortunate to present after Ajax. Ajax is at a disadvantage because of his eagerness to present first. This gives Ulysses a chance to gather his argument and also turn what Ajax says against him. Ulysses begins in a different manner. Ulysses sets the tone of somberness by recalling Achilles, â€Å"If things had gone as you and I had wished, o Greeks, we would hat ask who should succeed to this extraordinary weaponry; Achilles, you’d still have your arms, and we would still have you,† (Ovid 432).Ulysses uses epideictic rhetoric not to depreciate Ajax’s deeds, but to honor Achilles as one does at a funeral. Soon after Ulysses honors Achilles, he begins to strengthen his image through more epideictic rhetoric just as Ajax did. Ulysses draws upon his own lineage on page 433 claiming to be descendent of not only Jove but Mercury as well. He also minimizes Ajax’s lineage by cla iming that one of Ajax’s ancestors was an exiled criminal. Ulysses then moves on to say, â€Å"Just judge by deeds—and deeds alone . . . it’s only one’s worth that weighs,† (Ovid 433).Ulysses defeats Ajax’s argument about his kinship to Achilles, but then claims that the victor should be determined by his actions not his external goods. Aristotle, in Nicomachean Ethics, talks about the importance of external goods, but he says that the goods of the mind (deeds and actions) are more important. So Ulysses goes on to give a myriad of good deeds he has performed such as convincing Achilles to return to battle, going as an ambassador into Troy to try to negotiate the return of Helen, the plan for the Trojan horse, and inciting the warriors and Ajax with courage when they ere on the brink of retreat.As an entirety, Ajax is only able to spill insults and talk down about Ulysses, but Ulysses is able to combat all of Ajax’s insults and turn th em against him. Also going second plays into Ulysses’ favor because Ajax has no opportunity for rebuttal whereas Ulysses does. Therefore Ulysses is declared the victor of the argument and wins on the basis of his rhetorical skills. Ovid pays more respect to the battle between two rhetors than he does to two warriors clearly through the great detail he goes into in the discussion between Ulysses and Ajax.Instead of depicting great violent battle scenes, he depicts a great rhetoric argument between two individuals. Ovid briefly touches on the Trojan War itself, but takes great measure in illustrating the use of rhetoric in the discussion after the War.Bibliography Ovid, Metamorphoses Nordquist, Richard. About. com, â€Å"Rhetoric. † Accessed November 28, 2011. http://grammar. about. com/od/rs/g/rhetoricterm. htm. Wheeler, Dr. L. Kip. â€Å"Rhetoric. † Last modified September 26,2011. Accessed November 28, 2011. http://web. cn. edu/kwheeler/resource_rhet. html.

Why Are Farmers Markets So Popular

At farmers markets, local farmers, growers, and other food producers or vendors come together to sell their products directly to the public. What You Can Buy at a Farmers Market Typically, all products sold at a farmers market have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, canned, baked, dried, smoked or processed by the farmers and local vendors who are selling them. Farmers markets often feature local fruits and vegetables that are grown naturally or organically, meat from animals that are pasture-fed and raised humanely, handmade cheeses, eggs and poultry from free-range fowl, as well as heirloom produce and heritage breeds of animals and birds. Some farmers markets also feature non-food products such as fresh flowers, wool products, clothing and toys. The Benefits of Farmers Markets As the name implies, a farmers market offers small farmers the chance to market their produce, incubate their businesses, and supplement their income. Increasingly, however, farmers markets are also helping to create robust local economies and more vibrant communities, bringing buyers to long-neglected downtown areas and other traditional retail centers. You dont have to be a locavore to appreciate a good farmers market. Farmers markets not only offer consumers the opportunity to consume farm-fresh, locally grown food, they also provide the opportunity for producers and consumers to get to know each other on a personal level.   Farmers markets also facilitate making eco-conscious decisions. We know that some agricultural practices can lead to nutrient pollution or the use of damaging pesticides; farmers markets give us the opportunity to find out how farmers grow our food, and to make consumer decisions consistent with our values. In addition, the items we buy have not been trucked hundreds or even thousands of miles, nor have they been bred for shelf-life instead of for their taste or nutrient density.   Michael Pollan, in an essay he wrote for The New York Review of Books, noted the social and cultural influence of farmers markets: Farmers’ markets are thriving, more than five thousand strong, and there is a lot more going on in them than the exchange of money for food, Pollan wrote. Someone is collecting signatures on a petition. Someone else is playing music. Children are everywhere, sampling fresh produce, talking to farmers. Friends and acquaintances stop to chat. One sociologist calculated that people have ten times as many conversations at the farmers’ market than they do in the supermarket. Socially as well as sensually, the farmers’ market offers a remarkably rich and appealing environment. Someone buying food here may be acting not just as a consumer but also as a neighbor, a citizen, a parent, a cook. In many cities and towns, farmers’ markets have taken on (and not for the first time) the function of a lively new public square. To Find a Farmers Market Near You Between 1994 and 2013, the number of farmers markets in the United States more than quadrupled. Today, there are more than 8,000 farmers markets operating nationwide. To find the farmers markets near you, see How to Find Your Local Farmers Markets and follow one of the five easy tips. To choose a market when faced with multiple options, read the organizations mission and rules. An increasing number of markets only allows vendors within a specific radius, and others forbid the resale of produce bought elsewhere. These rules insure you buy truly local food grown by the person who sells them to you.