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What Chinese Internet Users “Like” to Read: Selective Exposure in a Restricted Information Environment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2024

Clara Wang  and
Sean J. Westwood
Clara Wang*
Affiliation:
Yenching Academy, Peking University, Beijing, China
Sean J. Westwood
Affiliation:
Department of Government, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
*
Corresponding author: Clara Wang; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

We study the phenomenon of selective exposure in China's restricted online information environment. Through an experimental survey study, we measure to what extent features of online news, such as popularity (i.e. number of “likes”), influence information selection among Chinese internet users (“netizens”). We find evidence of preferences for news information according to news topic and the nationalist sentiments of individuals. Generally, for news about domestic affairs, Chinese netizens prefer articles that take the opposite position of the government; for foreign affairs, they prefer articles aligned with the government's position. However, nationalistic individuals are more likely to select domestic affairs articles congruent with the Chinese government's issue framing. We also find social endorsements to be highly influential on news selection behaviour. Popular posts with many “likes” attract Chinese netizens to the point where they select content they may not otherwise read, even though the internet environment is easily manipulated.

摘要

摘要

我们研究中国网络信息控制环境中选择性接触的现象。利用一项实验性调查问卷，我们测试了在线新闻的特征在多大程度上影响中国互联网用户（“网民”）的信息选择。例如，受欢迎程度（即“点赞”数量）。我们找到对新闻信息的偏好因新闻主题和个人民族主义情绪而异的证据。 一般来说，对于内政新闻，中国网民更喜欢与政府立场相反的文章，而对于国际事务新闻，中国网民更喜欢与政府立场一致的文章。 然而，民族主义人士更有可能选择与中国政府的问题框架相符的内政文章。 我们还发现社会认可对新闻选择行为有很大影响。 尽管互联网环境很容易被操纵，但有很多“点赞”的热门帖子会吸引中国网民，致使他们选择原本可能不会阅读的内容。

Keywords

selective exposurenewsinformation controlsocial mediasocial endorsements选择性接触新闻信息控制社交媒体社会认可
Type
Research Article
Information
The China Quarterly , Volume 260 , December 2024 , pp. 1059 - 1074
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of SOAS University of London

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