Weighing up pros and cons of Internet
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The rise of microblogs has enhanced the political power of the Internet. As platforms of information and magnifiers of opinions, microblogs came as a surprise to China, bringing about vibrant dynamics to the country's political life, and yet raising serious issues about China's social stability.
The Internet brings the government and the public closer in their grasp of information. Many times when emergencies arise, public reaction has influenced government decision-making.
In a sense, the public has directly participated in the governing of the country, and their influence has sometimes grown beyond what the public can do in a normal representative system.
The introduction and growth of the Internet is relatively new in China, which means it is still evolving. Netizens are eager to voice their opinions on the Internet and believe they represent the "public opinion" of the country. In fact, people active on the Internet are mainly composed of urbanite, since most older people and those living in rural areas are still absent from cyberspace. The Internet does represent part of society, but it is not a complete demographic representative.
Conscious of the Internet's political power, people who lack other channels are using the Internet as a platform to express and magnify their opinions and calls. Those who can find alternative channels, or have no interest in publicizing their opinions, usually keep a distance from the online conference. The Internet's public representation is inadequate, and the voices it conveys are often extreme and one-sided.
Of course, even though these opinions represent the young people and are only part of public concerns, the government still needs to pay close attention to them.
First of all, the government needs to listen tentatively to all kinds of comments and suggestions online. This concerns not only the central government, but local governments also, as most of the complaints are at a grass-roots level, requiring the attention of local authorities.
Secondly, opinions on the Internet are direct and fresh. They may impress some people with their "shock" effect, but it is also possible that some "opinion leaders" may mislead the public in the name of "justice."
Those Internet users who are eager to express themselves need to know that other people's opinions also deserve respect.
As more and more social groups and regions connect to the Internet, there will be a day when older people and rural residents also join the online forum. Before that happens, Chinese people have to find a way to represent mainstream public opinions, both online and off-line.
Premier Wen Jiabao's online chat with the public Sunday indicates that the government has been using the Internet as an important platform for China's democracy. The public needs to sincerely make their share of efforts in return.
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