The Media hange in ong Kong after 1997 - Term Paper Example

THЕ MЕDIА СHАNGЕ IN НОNG KОNG АFTЕR 1997 Student Name: Student ID: Date: Table of Contents 1. Introduction 3 2. Identity of Hong Kong and Pro-Democracy 3 3. Media Changed as Politics and Sovereignty Changed in Hong Kong 5 3.1 Before 1997 5 3.2 The Transitional Period 5 3.3 After 1997 6 4. Media and Politics in Hong Kong 7 5. Current Challenges for Media and Laws in Hong Kong 8 6. Conclusion 8 References 9 1. Introduction Media has several roles and faces. It can entertain and engage, it can open the spaces and close the spaces too, and it can create and destroy as well [Gro06]. Similarly, the media of Hong Kong have performed a significant role before and after the transfer of its sovereignty. In 1997, Hong Kong was given to China, after the Sino-British Joint Declaration that formed in the year 1984. Since the declaration, the media became the center of attention. The people of Hong Kong were worried, because they were concerned either if their media will get the same freedom of speech or not [Lai07]. It was seen that the media had freedom of expression till the first ten years of handover, yet the local practitioners gave warnings against the increased state control and self-censorship too [Ngo07]. The self-censorship was the major threat to the freedom of the press during the transfer of sovereignty, which brought agitation among the people of Hong Kong [Mic07]. 2. Identity of Hong Kong and Pro-Democracy The identity of Hong Kong was changed for a number of time after the Post-war years. For about ten years, the people of Hong Kong experienced multiple and contradictory identities [Fun07]. The historical identity of Hong Kong’s people is Chinese [Wan91]. The cultural identity of Hong Kong’s people includes Chinese and Non-Chinese culture. After the year 1997, the people of Hong Kong believed that they have come closer to the Mainlanders. In the economic realm, the differences in them have been lessened. However, in the political realm, their differences remain high [Fun07]. During the 1980s, media differentiated the Mainlanders and HongKongers (People of Hong Kong) to a great extent through which both the categories of citizens felt difference between them in terms of culture and identity. In the same decade, China reclaimed Hong Kong and was determined in including within its borders. In such situation, the media of Hong Kong showed negativity against the Mainlanders. In the populist films, the actor or actress, who perform the role of the Mainlanders, were given negative, wicked or comical roles. Moreover, in the movies, it was publicized that the Mainlanders are the invaders, who are hostile to the human beings and society as well. The media of Hong Kong promoted such films, for instance the Long Arm of Law and Bank Buster, that presented the negative image of the Mainlanders, like breaking the laws of Hong Kong. With the passage of time, the media changed its way of showing the Mainlanders and presented films that proved a positive impression of the Mainlanders. The identity of Hong Kong is reimagined, due to the power of the context that was on aired by television [MaE05]. Now, the political identity of Hong Kong and China is single, however the cultural identity has not come to this point and there remains the cultural differences between the both [MaE051]. Social movements are centrally developed by the media. Also, the movements and protests impact on the media. To form a demonstration on a large scale, the media have played a vital role. It has led to form a protest by stimulating the concerned people through the newspaper. In this way, the media is playing a role of being a facilitator, like on the public agenda, the media pushed the demonstrations of pro-democracy in 2003. From 2003 to 2006, a protest was preceded by the discourse of media, which was in a huge amount. Another role of media has been seen as a messenger, where political groups and social leaders call upon actions by the public. Here the function of media is to report and to spread awareness of the calls. Media is also considered as an effective way in reducing and controlling the political crisis by indicating democratic reform through the protests. These protests can change the game with the passage of time, when people will be more experienced in protests, yet in this way, the role of the media may diminish. After the year 2003, media were able to generate the opinion of the public with the help of social mobilization. Previously, social mobilization was known as the organizational channels that were considered as a subordinate of the power authorities. The appearance and attitude of media have been changed due to the pro-democracy movement, in which the general public was considered as an electorate or constituency [Cha07]. 3. Media Changed as Politics and Sovereignty Changed in Hong Kong 3.1 Before 1997 The relationship of media to the government of Hong Kong was different from 1980 to 1997. Before 1980s, the government control was tight on media and the professionalism of media was weak. Along with media, public opinion and civil society were weak too. It was seen that the political economy had moderate control over media in that time. The competition in media was low and it was protected by cartel, which is an association that restricts the competition. Overall, the relationship of state with the media was considered as controlled pluralism that permitted the existence of different interests and views to some extent [Ngo07]. 3.2 The Transitional Period From 1980 to 1997, a transitional era was seen in terms of relationship of state with the media. In this era, people of Hong Kong were concerned about their media and its freedom of expression, because they perceived numerous threats that may affect the press. Specifically, there were two forces that were seen at work [Fun07]. One was the self-censorship of the journalists [Cha91] and the second was the change of ownership of media (Fung, 2008). The control of government started to weaken in that era and the media caught into the influence of the other sources. The professionalism of media started to grow and become stronger. The competition of press also grew in such circumstances. The behavior of public opinion and civil society went parallel with the professionalism of media. It was seen that the political economy had moderate control over media in that time. Overall, the relationship of the state with media was considered as pluralism, in which the existence of different interests and views were permitted to a great extent [Ngo07]. 3.3 After 1997 After the year 1997, when the sovereignty was transferred to the Peoples Republic of China, the relationship of media and state changed with a number of other changes. The change in ownership and self-censorship upset the diversity, autonomy and freedom of press in Hong Kong [Fun07]. The legal control went uncertain and there was stronger co-optation in that period. The media competition was recorded as immense and the professionalism in media was seen as stronger, yet declining. The public opinion and civil society were perceived to be strong and the political economy had a strong influence. Overall, the relationship of the state with media was considered as self-restraint, where media had taken control and was able to do whatever it wants to [Ngo07]. This relationship was not built on the spur of moment. In the first five years, the media in Hong Kong were eroded. After that, the changes started to take place [Lai07]. 4. Media and Politics in Hong Kong The media affects the political groups on a larger scale. The political and social groups are weak in Hong Kong and to call for the protest and other actions, the groups have to spread their message through media. Here, media acts as an agent that transmits the information that is taken from the political groups and sends them to the public/activists/protestors [Cha07]. To sustain the freedom of media, there are everyday hurdles and affairs that have to be tackled by the journalists and press persons. Every time, there are political forces that try to influence or control the media. This happened not only before the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, but even after that as well. In such circumstances, it depends upon the media that how to react to such actions that involve political control or influence. There are times when such forces overpower the resistance of media. However, in the other times, the media succeed in resisting by using the legal protection and by having support from the civil society [Ngo07]. After the Sino-British Joint Declaration, half of the media was in favor and the remaining half of the media were against of it [SoB14]. The policies for media in Hong Kong became strict after the transfer of sovereignty. Not only the Chinese leaders were against the freedom of expression, but the provincial officials were also pointing out fingers in opposite to the media of Hong Kong [Lai07]. Despite such conditions, the media of Hong Kong resisted and published the content that was highly sensitive in that era. The media persons continued their profession and persisted to be strong enough to deal with the political authorities. Within some years, on political reforms, the press of Hong Kong moderated their stances to align with the side of Chinese [SoB14]. 5. Current Challenges for Media and Laws in Hong Kong After the end of British rule in Hong Kong, there was a transfer of sovereignty to China in 1997. During that period, media of Hong Kong were considerably diverse and vibrant as compared to the Mainland. Even after that period, the media of Hong Kong had a specific position and role. It was free from harsh censorship and constraints. Yet, media had to face certain challenges in having freedom of speech from the past year, due to the political crisis in Hong Kong. There are five key challenges that are being faced by the media of Hong Kong [PEN15]. They are: 1. Removal of media figures and censorship that is politically motivated. 2. Physical assaults on journalists. 3. Economic pressures on outlets of media through political motivation. 4. Unable to express online due to the threats. 5. Obstruction of and attack on media for favoring the democracy. To provide security to the press and journalists, the government of Hong Kong has made three laws that come in the category of freedom of speech [PEN15]. They are: 1. Basic Law of Freedom of Expression 2. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 3. Bill of Rights Ordinance 6. Conclusion This report was prepared to discuss that how have the media changed as politics changes in the run-up to and after the 1997 change of sovereignty in Hong Kong? And how have the media played a part in changing politics at the same time? From the discussion, it has been seen that the media of Hong Kong were strong before and after the transfer of sovereignty in 1997. During the transitional era, it faced certain hurdles and problems, which it managed very meticulously. Initially, it was difficult for the press to accept the handover of its state to Peoples Republic of China and at that time, the press acted aggressively. But, with the passage of time, the media accepted its change of sovereignty and now with the help of three laws, it can protect and defend itself from the influence and control of the political forces. Media has an impact on the political groups and both of them can influence each other with their effects. It has changed the way politics are done within the boundaries of China. Through its editorials, which have the highest percentage of content of Hong Kong among the others, it has spread numerous sensitive and confidential information to the public. It has brought awareness and has indicated to the political people that how media can acquire and disperse the subtle information. Therefore, media is performing a significant role in changing politics before the transfer of its sovereignty in 1997. It has faced challenges in the transitional era and currently it is facing a couple of challenges too. References Gro06: , (Grossberg, 2006), Lai07: , (Lai, 2007), Ngo07: , (Ngok, 2007), Mic07: , (Martin, 2007), Fun07: , (Fung A. Y., 2007), Wan91: , (Wang, 1991), MaE05: , (Ma, 1999), MaE051: , (Ma, 2005), Cha07: , (Chan & Lee, 2007), Fun07: , (Fung, 2007), Cha91: , (Chan & Lee, 1991), SoB14: , (So & Kao, 2014), PEN15: , (PEN American Center, 2015), Read More

Media Changed as Politics and Sovereignty Changed in Hong Kong 3.1 Before 1997 The relationship of media to the government of Hong Kong was different from 1980 to 1997. Before 1980s, the government control was tight on media and the professionalism of media was weak. Along with media, public opinion and civil society were weak too. It was seen that the political economy had moderate control over media in that time. The competition in media was low and it was protected by cartel, which is an association that restricts the competition.

Overall, the relationship of state with the media was considered as controlled pluralism that permitted the existence of different interests and views to some extent [Ngo07]. 3.2 The Transitional Period From 1980 to 1997, a transitional era was seen in terms of relationship of state with the media. In this era, people of Hong Kong were concerned about their media and its freedom of expression, because they perceived numerous threats that may affect the press. Specifically, there were two forces that were seen at work [Fun07].

One was the self-censorship of the journalists [Cha91] and the second was the change of ownership of media (Fung, 2008). The control of government started to weaken in that era and the media caught into the influence of the other sources. The professionalism of media started to grow and become stronger. The competition of press also grew in such circumstances. The behavior of public opinion and civil society went parallel with the professionalism of media. It was seen that the political economy had moderate control over media in that time.

Overall, the relationship of the state with media was considered as pluralism, in which the existence of different interests and views were permitted to a great extent [Ngo07]. 3.3 After 1997 After the year 1997, when the sovereignty was transferred to the Peoples Republic of China, the relationship of media and state changed with a number of other changes. The change in ownership and self-censorship upset the diversity, autonomy and freedom of press in Hong Kong [Fun07]. The legal control went uncertain and there was stronger co-optation in that period.

The media competition was recorded as immense and the professionalism in media was seen as stronger, yet declining. The public opinion and civil society were perceived to be strong and the political economy had a strong influence. Overall, the relationship of the state with media was considered as self-restraint, where media had taken control and was able to do whatever it wants to [Ngo07]. This relationship was not built on the spur of moment. In the first five years, the media in Hong Kong were eroded.

After that, the changes started to take place [Lai07]. 4. Media and Politics in Hong Kong The media affects the political groups on a larger scale. The political and social groups are weak in Hong Kong and to call for the protest and other actions, the groups have to spread their message through media. Here, media acts as an agent that transmits the information that is taken from the political groups and sends them to the public/activists/protestors [Cha07]. To sustain the freedom of media, there are everyday hurdles and affairs that have to be tackled by the journalists and press persons.

Every time, there are political forces that try to influence or control the media. This happened not only before the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, but even after that as well. In such circumstances, it depends upon the media that how to react to such actions that involve political control or influence. There are times when such forces overpower the resistance of media. However, in the other times, the media succeed in resisting by using the legal protection and by having support from the civil society [Ngo07].

After the Sino-British Joint Declaration, half of the media was in favor and the remaining half of the media were against of it [SoB14]. The policies for media in Hong Kong became strict after the transfer of sovereignty.

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