PhD Thesis by Hsiao-wen Lee
Westminster Research, 2010
The focus of this research is whether the Habermas’ ‘bourgeois public sphere’, which is character... more The focus of this research is whether the Habermas’ ‘bourgeois public sphere’, which is characteristic of Western society, can be extended to China. My main contribution is to demonstrate that the concepts of ‘sentiment’ and ‘reason’ are central to any discussion of the public sphere in China. This is in sharp contrast to the West where rational discussion and the rule of law are the twin foundations of the classical discourse of the public sphere.
China’s society is distinct from Western democracies the West in at least two fundamental ways. In the first place, the political system remains ‘communist’ with a single party controlling all of the media. As a result, the degree of freedom of thought and speech is extremely limited, and there is no obvious way in which the mass media can act directly as a forum for free and informed discussion of public policy. Secondly, whereas the rule of law is understood as a central element in Western democratic culture, it has a subordinate place in Chinese culture.
These assumptions are examined through a study of the readership of the Popular Press and through text analysis. How the Popular Press engages with the general public, how the general public reads and judges media messages, and crucially whether the Popular Press could employ an indirect approach working to constitute an ‘imaginary’ public in China were the discoveries.
In the end, this study concludes that while China’s cultural, political and economic system of control is the main factor leading to the restriction and dissent of the general public, a ‘reasoning’ popular public might, in time, be shaped through their reading of controversies in political and public affairs in the Popular Press.
Papers by Hsiao-wen Lee
台灣報業因為外在環境的變遷，廣告資源遭瓜分，在資源競爭日趨激烈的情況下，新聞生產過程逐漸改變。本研究首先就媒介特性分析組織內部的不確定性，商業邏輯與新聞專業的衝突，再探討市場導向新聞學以及新聞小... more 台灣報業因為外在環境的變遷，廣告資源遭瓜分，在資源競爭日趨激烈的情況下，新聞生產過程逐漸改變。本研究首先就媒介特性分析組織內部的不確定性，商業邏輯與新聞專業的衝突，再探討市場導向新聞學以及新聞小報化的興起，如何影響新聞價值的轉變。 而在這樣的轉變過程中，新聞工作者一方面要堅守新聞專業，一方面又要顧及組織目標，內心充滿矛盾與掙扎，但在形勢比人強的情況下，新聞專業裡的「好新聞」已逐漸流失，現在的「好新聞」幾乎與「好生意」同意涵了。因此，新聞產製權，也已逐漸從編採部門手中，轉交行銷業務部門。Owing to advertisement resources are divided and competitions are keen，the news production process came through a gradual change in Taiwanese press. Firstly，this paper explores the modus operandi of media which is influenced by the uncertainty of the organization and conflicts between business consideration and news professionalism. Furthermore，the development of market–driving journalism and tabloidization of news deeply affect the journalists' news values. Secondly，facing these changes， journalists not only try to abide by traditional news professionalism but also concern about organizations' aim of seeking the maximum of profits. Situated in such a ambivalent circumstance，there is much more struggle in Taiwanese journalists' mi...
Routledge Handbook of Chinese Media, 2015
This chapter looks at how the newspaper industry has changed from being a party and government-le... more This chapter looks at how the newspaper industry has changed from being a party and government-led propaganda tool to become a more commercially market-oriented product.
Strategic Comments, 2001
The angry public response in China to the collision on 1 April of a US surveillance aircraft and ... more The angry public response in China to the collision on 1 April of a US surveillance aircraft and Chinese fighter highlighted the growing importance of public opinion as a factor influencing China's policy-making process. While this influence has been evident for many years in the treatment of domestic issues such as economic reform and corruption, the role of popular attitudes in shaping foreign policy has only become apparent since the late 1990s. The trend in part reflects the growing availability of new channels, particularly the Internet, through which public opinion can be expressed. The increasing attention paid by the Communist Party to ordinary citizens' attitudes does not suggest that the government is moving towards acceptance of a more pluralist system of government.
Javnost - The Public, 2010
The result of media reform in China has led to the profi t-driven popular press, instead of the P... more The result of media reform in China has led to the profi t-driven popular press, instead of the Party press, developing rapidly and heavily infl uencing the public life in the country. How do the people negotiate with the political power and form their own "public" in daily life through reading the popular press? On the one hand, as the ordinary Chinese people keep their distance from public aff airs, they fail to respond to the coverage that is always controlled by the power of the state; this leads to people's dissent from or indiff erence to the headlines or important news in the popular press. On the other hand, compared with the stuff y and always-positive news of propaganda that is far from their daily lives, trivial news happens under circumstances that are more sensible and meaningful for them. People refer to their reason and sense in daily life to criticise what the truth is. In the meantime, the "public" is aroused through controversy and disagreement.
The focus of this research is whether the Habermas’ ‘bourgeois public sphere’, which is character... more The focus of this research is whether the Habermas’ ‘bourgeois public sphere’, which is characteristic of Western society, can be extended to China. My main contribution is to demonstrate that the concepts of ‘sentiment’ and ‘reason’ are central to any discussion of the public sphere in China. This is in sharp contrast to the West where rational discussion and the rule of law are the twin foundations of the classical discourse of the public sphere. China’s society is distinct from Western democracies the West in at least two fundamental ways. In the first place, the political system remains ‘communist’ with a single party controlling all of the media. As a result, the degree of freedom of thought and speech is extremely limited, and there is no obvious way in which the mass media can act directly as a forum for free and informed discussion of public policy. Secondly, whereas the rule of law is understood as a central element in Western democratic culture, it has a subordinate place ...
Communication, culture& politics, 2019
This paper aims to explore the main arguments of copyright reform, commercial bias’s and the deba... more This paper aims to explore the main arguments of copyright reform, commercial bias’s and the debates from different groups.
Due to the growth of Internet Intermediaries, the media and cultural sectors which were traditionally protected by copyright laws now face a big challenge in terms of their profitability and methods of production.
The Internet Intermediary combines tools for production, marketing, advertising, and delivery/distribution all under one platform. This type of model then takes the biggest percentage of the profits away from the traditional market. This phenomena causes the problem of value gap. In order to redress this and protect the creators by providing a model for fair renumeration, the EU is reviewing the challenges facing copyright in the digital age. The EU has started to pursue copyright reforms and aims to establish a digital single market that reflects the challenges facing copyright in the digital age thus protecting all stakeholder rights.
This chapter looks at how the newspaper industry has changed from being a party and government-le... more This chapter looks at how the newspaper industry has changed from being a party and government-led propaganda tool to become a more commercially market-oriented product.
Public Service Media in the Digital Age: international perspective, Dec 1, 2013
The purpose of this chapter is to examine the People Post (PeoPo) website and identify how citize... more The purpose of this chapter is to examine the People Post (PeoPo) website and identify how citizen journalism generates public service media in Taiwan. PeoPo, which is an open digital platform for public participation and discussion, was established in 2007 by the Public Television Service Organization (PTS). The chapter first explores the development of public broadcasting in Taiwan, focusing on two main issues: political intervention and decreasing revenues. Then citizen journalism will be discussed, followed by an examination of PeoPo and how citizen journalism works in Taiwan.
Mass communication research, Apr 2012
China corner: policy paper series, Oct 12, 2012
We know that the People's Republic of China is a vast country, made up of varied and diverse cons... more We know that the People's Republic of China is a vast country, made up of varied and diverse constituencies spread horizontally across social groups, and laterally across the very different dynamics within separate Chinese provinces and autonomous regions, and then within each of these places, from prefecture, to township, down to village level. How analysts and scholars outside of the country best get to grips with this complexity is a constant issue. When we come to asking questions about what Chinese people might think about their country, their key day to day challenges, their past and their future we hit particularly severe issues. These are the questions that constantly interest us, and yet which it has proved surprising hard to get good empirical evidence for.
Comparison of the bourgeois public sphere, the popular press and tabloids drive toward the other ... more Comparison of the bourgeois public sphere, the popular press and tabloids drive toward the other side that is full of sensational, trivial and personal sphere. Since the popular press became the leading position in press group in China, it not only affects the general public but also awakens the latent opinions which have been often ignored for a long time. This storytelling form is welcomed in public and reveals the serious social problems in the community. It threatens the political authority gradually rather than through direct opposition to the State. However, the Popular Press absolutely shapes a new public opinion, different from that of the Communist Party Press.
"The result of media reform in China has led to the
profi t-driven popular press, instead of the... more "The result of media reform in China has led to the
profi t-driven popular press, instead of the Party press,
developing rapidly and heavily infl uencing the public life
in the country. How do the people negotiate with the
political power and form their own “public” in daily life
through reading the popular press? On the one hand, as
the ordinary Chinese people keep their distance from public
aff airs, they fail to respond to the coverage that is always
controlled by the power of the state; this leads to people’s
dissent from or indiff erence to the headlines or important
news in the popular press. On the other hand, compared
with the stuff y and always-positive news of propaganda
that is far from their daily lives, trivial news happens under
circumstances that are more sensible and meaningful for
them. People refer to their reason and sense in daily life to
criticise what the truth is. In the meantime, the “public” is
aroused through controversy and disagreement."
Academic Review by Hsiao-wen Lee
MA Thesis by Hsiao-wen Lee
NCCU Institutional Repository, 2003
Owing to advertisement resources are divided and competitions are keen，the news production proces... more Owing to advertisement resources are divided and competitions are keen，the news production process came through a gradual change in Taiwanese press.
Firstly，this paper explores the modus operandi of media which is influenced by the uncertainty of the organization and conflicts between business consideration and news professionalism. Furthermore，the development of market–driving journalism and tabloidization of news deeply affect the journalists' news values.
Secondly，facing these changes， journalists not only try to abide by traditional news professionalism but also concern about organizations' aim of seeking the maximum of profits. Situated in such a ambivalent circumstance，there is much more struggle in Taiwanese journalists' minds.
However，the market–driving force is so strong which has made the definition of 「good journalism」 change in nowadays news professionalism. As a consequence，in the meantime，「good journalism」 almost means 「good business.」
Talks by Hsiao-wen Lee
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PhD Thesis by Hsiao-wen Lee
China’s society is distinct from Western democracies the West in at least two fundamental ways. In the first place, the political system remains ‘communist’ with a single party controlling all of the media. As a result, the degree of freedom of thought and speech is extremely limited, and there is no obvious way in which the mass media can act directly as a forum for free and informed discussion of public policy. Secondly, whereas the rule of law is understood as a central element in Western democratic culture, it has a subordinate place in Chinese culture.
These assumptions are examined through a study of the readership of the Popular Press and through text analysis. How the Popular Press engages with the general public, how the general public reads and judges media messages, and crucially whether the Popular Press could employ an indirect approach working to constitute an ‘imaginary’ public in China were the discoveries.
In the end, this study concludes that while China’s cultural, political and economic system of control is the main factor leading to the restriction and dissent of the general public, a ‘reasoning’ popular public might, in time, be shaped through their reading of controversies in political and public affairs in the Popular Press.
Papers by Hsiao-wen Lee
Due to the growth of Internet Intermediaries, the media and cultural sectors which were traditionally protected by copyright laws now face a big challenge in terms of their profitability and methods of production.
The Internet Intermediary combines tools for production, marketing, advertising, and delivery/distribution all under one platform. This type of model then takes the biggest percentage of the profits away from the traditional market. This phenomena causes the problem of value gap. In order to redress this and protect the creators by providing a model for fair renumeration, the EU is reviewing the challenges facing copyright in the digital age. The EU has started to pursue copyright reforms and aims to establish a digital single market that reflects the challenges facing copyright in the digital age thus protecting all stakeholder rights.
profi t-driven popular press, instead of the Party press,
developing rapidly and heavily infl uencing the public life
in the country. How do the people negotiate with the
political power and form their own “public” in daily life
through reading the popular press? On the one hand, as
the ordinary Chinese people keep their distance from public
aff airs, they fail to respond to the coverage that is always
controlled by the power of the state; this leads to people’s
dissent from or indiff erence to the headlines or important
news in the popular press. On the other hand, compared
with the stuff y and always-positive news of propaganda
that is far from their daily lives, trivial news happens under
circumstances that are more sensible and meaningful for
them. People refer to their reason and sense in daily life to
criticise what the truth is. In the meantime, the “public” is
aroused through controversy and disagreement."
Academic Review by Hsiao-wen Lee
MA Thesis by Hsiao-wen Lee
Firstly，this paper explores the modus operandi of media which is influenced by the uncertainty of the organization and conflicts between business consideration and news professionalism. Furthermore，the development of market–driving journalism and tabloidization of news deeply affect the journalists' news values.
Secondly，facing these changes， journalists not only try to abide by traditional news professionalism but also concern about organizations' aim of seeking the maximum of profits. Situated in such a ambivalent circumstance，there is much more struggle in Taiwanese journalists' minds.
However，the market–driving force is so strong which has made the definition of 「good journalism」 change in nowadays news professionalism. As a consequence，in the meantime，「good journalism」 almost means 「good business.」
Talks by Hsiao-wen Lee
China’s society is distinct from Western democracies the West in at least two fundamental ways. In the first place, the political system remains ‘communist’ with a single party controlling all of the media. As a result, the degree of freedom of thought and speech is extremely limited, and there is no obvious way in which the mass media can act directly as a forum for free and informed discussion of public policy. Secondly, whereas the rule of law is understood as a central element in Western democratic culture, it has a subordinate place in Chinese culture.
These assumptions are examined through a study of the readership of the Popular Press and through text analysis. How the Popular Press engages with the general public, how the general public reads and judges media messages, and crucially whether the Popular Press could employ an indirect approach working to constitute an ‘imaginary’ public in China were the discoveries.
In the end, this study concludes that while China’s cultural, political and economic system of control is the main factor leading to the restriction and dissent of the general public, a ‘reasoning’ popular public might, in time, be shaped through their reading of controversies in political and public affairs in the Popular Press.
Due to the growth of Internet Intermediaries, the media and cultural sectors which were traditionally protected by copyright laws now face a big challenge in terms of their profitability and methods of production.
The Internet Intermediary combines tools for production, marketing, advertising, and delivery/distribution all under one platform. This type of model then takes the biggest percentage of the profits away from the traditional market. This phenomena causes the problem of value gap. In order to redress this and protect the creators by providing a model for fair renumeration, the EU is reviewing the challenges facing copyright in the digital age. The EU has started to pursue copyright reforms and aims to establish a digital single market that reflects the challenges facing copyright in the digital age thus protecting all stakeholder rights.
profi t-driven popular press, instead of the Party press,
developing rapidly and heavily infl uencing the public life
in the country. How do the people negotiate with the
political power and form their own “public” in daily life
through reading the popular press? On the one hand, as
the ordinary Chinese people keep their distance from public
aff airs, they fail to respond to the coverage that is always
controlled by the power of the state; this leads to people’s
dissent from or indiff erence to the headlines or important
news in the popular press. On the other hand, compared
with the stuff y and always-positive news of propaganda
that is far from their daily lives, trivial news happens under
circumstances that are more sensible and meaningful for
them. People refer to their reason and sense in daily life to
criticise what the truth is. In the meantime, the “public” is
aroused through controversy and disagreement."
Firstly，this paper explores the modus operandi of media which is influenced by the uncertainty of the organization and conflicts between business consideration and news professionalism. Furthermore，the development of market–driving journalism and tabloidization of news deeply affect the journalists' news values.
Secondly，facing these changes， journalists not only try to abide by traditional news professionalism but also concern about organizations' aim of seeking the maximum of profits. Situated in such a ambivalent circumstance，there is much more struggle in Taiwanese journalists' minds.
However，the market–driving force is so strong which has made the definition of 「good journalism」 change in nowadays news professionalism. As a consequence，in the meantime，「good journalism」 almost means 「good business.」