With the popularization of the Internet and the wide use of smart phones, online news has become one of the main channels for the public to obtain information. Compared with traditional media, network news has the characteristics of fast dissemination, large amount of information and strong interaction, which has a profound impact on the formation and change of public ideology. In China, online news is not only the main source for the public to obtain the latest information, but also an important tool for the government, enterprises and social groups to guide public opinion. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the role of network news in shaping Chinese public consciousness.
Media control policy.The Chinese government’s management and control policies on network news directly affect the dissemination of news content. These policies include strict censorship and approval systems, requiring Internet platforms and news sites to adhere to specific propaganda orientations and ideological requirements. Through laws and regulations, technical measures, and the actions of regulatory agencies, governments limit the type and content of information that the public can access and disseminate. As a result, news coverage is often influenced by political and ideological factors, which directly affect the dissemination of news content and the expression of opinions through censorship.
Public freedom of speech is the opposite of network news dissemination.The importance of freedom of speech in the dissemination of online news is self-evident, as it is the basis for citizens to express their opinions, receive diverse views and participate in public discussions in a democratic society. However, the Chinese government’s strict management and control policies on online news have severely restricted the realization of freedom of speech.
First, the Chinese government’s censorship and approval system results in strict filtering and screening of news content, so that only information that meets certain propaganda orientations and ideological requirements is allowed to spread. Such restrictions make public access to information more favorable to government-approved views and less likely to dissent or critical reporting.
Second, the government, through laws and regulations, technical measures, and the actions of regulators, has not only limited the type of information that the public can access and disseminate, but also imposed strict requirements and constraints on journalists and Internet platforms. For example, platforms are required to self-censor and proactively remove or restrict sensitive content, or risk severe penalties and bans.
These policies limit the diversity of public opinion expression and news reporting, resulting in limited and single access to information for the public. In addition, such control also affects the formation of public ideology, because the public is exposed to information mainly from official channels, and lacks diversified viewpoints and critical analysis, making it difficult to form independent and comprehensive opinions.
Therefore, although the Chinese government’s strict management and control of online news has its historical and cultural background in mind, it also severely squeezes the space of freedom of speech and affects the public’s access to information and free choice of ideology, thus exerting a far-reaching impact on the development of society and citizens.
At the same time, social class and regional differences also have a significant impact on the way and attitude of the public to obtain and accept network news. In terms of social class, the high class tend to choose professional and in-depth news sources, attach importance to the accuracy and background analysis of news, and are more inclined to trust traditional media and professional news organizations. In contrast, the lower classes rely more on social media and easily navigated forms of news, and have a lower ability to discern the truth of news. In terms of regional differences, urban residents generally have access to more extensive and diversified news content, and pay more attention to diverse viewpoints and political and social issues, while rural residents have more limited news access channels and concerns. These differences not only affect the behavior characteristics of the public in news consumption, but also shape the basis of their different understandings and attitudes towards news content.
Under the multiple functions of information dissemination, agenda setting and public opinion guidance, network news plays a particularly important role in shaping Chinese public ideology. It is not only a platform for conveying information, but also a key channel for shaping public perceptions and values. By carefully selecting and emphasizing specific information, online news can effectively influence public perceptions and attitudes on major issues, thus promoting the formation and development of Chinese ideology at the political, social and cultural levels. This kind of influence is not only limited to daily information transmission, but also reflected in the long-term public opinion guidance and ideological identity construction process. Therefore, understanding and assessing the key role of online news in Chinese public ideology is an important part of a deeper understanding of contemporary Chinese social dynamics and development trends.
Zhang Hanwen,
Group 549mi
