This book explores the media and conflict relationship in the age of
social media through the lens of China. Inspired by the concepts of
medialization of conflict and actor-network theory, this book centers on
four main actors in wars and conflicts: social media platform,
mainstream news organizations, online users and social media content.
These four human and non-human actors associate, interact and negotiate
with each other in the social media network. The central argument is
that social media is playing an enabling role in contemporary wars and
conflicts. Both professional media outlets and web users employ the
functionalities of social media platforms to set, counter-set or expand
the online public agenda. Social media platform embodies a web of
technological and human complexities with different actors, factors,
interests, and power relations. These four actors and the macro
social-political context are influential in the medialization of
conflict in the social media era.
''Empirically rich and theoretically innovative, this book advances our
understanding of the constantly changing dynamic between international
conflict and its medialization. With its compelling case studies, Shixin
Zhang's monograph makes a valuable contribution to the literature on
Chinese social media in conflict situations.''
- Daya K. Thussu, Professor of International Communication, Hong Kong
Baptist University, Hong Kong
