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Grassroots, astroturf, or something in between? Semi-official WeChat accounts as covert vectors of party-state influence in contemporary China
[journal article]
Abstract This article explores a facet of the Chinese propaganda apparatus that has yet to receive sufficient academic attention: the murky ecosystem of "semi-official" party-state presences on Chinese social media. With a particular focus on WeChat public accounts, this investigation responds to two critica... view more
This article explores a facet of the Chinese propaganda apparatus that has yet to receive sufficient academic attention: the murky ecosystem of "semi-official" party-state presences on Chinese social media. With a particular focus on WeChat public accounts, this investigation responds to two critical research questions: first, what differentiates official party-state social media presences from semi-official presences, and second, what unique role do semi-official WeChat accounts play in the contemporary Chinese propaganda apparatus? This article samples content published by five dyads of official and semi-official WeChat public accounts during the first fifteen days of June 2019. The results of this comparative, case-study-based discourse analysis support two conclusions. First, semi-official WeChat accounts posture as independent from the party-state in order to attract large followings and gain credibility. Second, semi-official WeChat public accounts operate as "astroturfed influencers," enabling the Chinese propaganda apparatus to covertly manipulate online discourse with extraordinary efficiency.... view less
Keywords
China; social media; online media; discourse; manipulation; propaganda; information policy; communication policy
Classification
Media Politics, Information Politics, Media Law
Interactive, electronic Media
Free Keywords
Manipulation von Meinung; Verhältnis Politik - Medien; WeChat
Document language
English
Publication Year
2021
Page/Pages
p. 180-208
Journal
Journal of Current Chinese Affairs, 50 (2021) 2
ISSN
1868-4874
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed