Big Questions about China, Olympics, Social Media etc.
aozo...@aol.com
Big Questions about China, Olympics, Social Media etc.
DaveO
Continuing on with the coverage of "China, The Olympics, Social Media,
Symposiums, etc." mini-series, I'm am co-opting Olympic scholar Dr.
Andy Miah's questions for the panel he is organizing at the 9th
International Symposium on Olympic Studies, in Beijing, August 5-7,
2008.
My point in doing this is to stimulate some discussion to push my own
perceptions and resolve my own conflicts. You see, I am big fan of
amateur sports (personally i prefer winter Olympic events) and an
ardent advocate of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and someone who
hopes for a greener planet. In some ways, I see these three as not
jiving within the China paradigm. On another hand, i wonder is it
really my place to ask an ancient culture why they do things they way
they do?
As such, I question my personal (not professional) emotional
investment in the athletes' struggle. Should I watch them strive for
greatness on the CBC while the background struggle seems so much
weightier? Or are the Olympics a time for healing and celebration
where understandings are fostered and differences sorted out? In other
words, should i participate in the Olympics from my couch or from the
streets!
I invite you to offer your answers to Dr. Miah's questions. The
comments are open for your opinions on China, the Olympics, Social
Media, etc. - be frank and polite (and avoid ticket selling and other
spam).
Media Access and Control
* Briefly describe whether or not you see the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Games as a focal point for media transition in China.
* Will foreign journalists obtain the level of access they require to
undertake their work?
* Will the temporary legislation designating additional freedoms for
foreign journalists produce different coverage of China than we have
seen before?
Politics and Focus
* Is political transition within a country a reasonable expectation to
have of the Olympic Games?
* How will commentators summarize the Beijing Olympic Games in the
closing minutes of television coverage at the end of the Closing
Ceremony?
* Will the Olympic media focus, to the same degree, on sports,
compared with other Games, or will other narratives dominate the
coverage?
Social Media
* In what way are new media platforms enabling new forms of journalism
to surround the Beijing Olympics?
* In February 2008, the IOC released blogging guidelines, which
indicate that they do not consider blogging to be a form of
journalism. Do you think there is merit in their assertion?
* What kind of convergence is visible around old and new media in
China, in the context of the Beijing Olympic?
* Is citizen journalism politically prescribed in China?
* Claims have been made about China's rising Internet population and
its surpassing the United States. In what ways do you perceive the
utilization of new media as distinct within China, compared with other
nations?
More Questions
* In this context of social media, freedom of press expression, and
background of security and political posturing, what other questions
come to mind?
jonathan
<aozo...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:65888203-ac59-4831...@p25g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> As such, I question my personal (not professional) emotional
> investment in the athletes' struggle. Should I watch them strive for
> greatness on the CBC while the background struggle seems so much
> weightier? Or are the Olympics a time for healing and celebration
> where understandings are fostered and differences sorted out?
No. Think of these Olympics in terms of what could happen.
Put the context together, then imagine what ...should happen.
Since these Olympics are in such a controversial and exotic place
the ....entire world will be watching and, in essence, be together at a
...single place and time.
The primary issues such a venue naturally evokes will be things
like censorship, freedom, democracy and dictatorships.
Also, the thick Beijing air is almost certain to create debates
on global warming and the long term consequences of
fossil fuel dependence.
And combine that with the first 'internet' Olympics and
unprecedented communication flows, we essentially have
an opportunity for a world-wide referendum or 'election'
on some of the most important problems and meaningful
concepts that exist.
I want....badly....for the world to make its collective wisdom
and desires known. And in real time. For no force in the world
can stand against the collective weight of humanity.
These Olympics provide a once in a species opportunity
to transition from the Dark Ages of constant war and
massive suffering.
To a future of ever growing justice and prosperity.
We must imagine the potential, and find a way to make
it a reality.
We have a duty to the future to seize such opportunities
and politicize these games. And give a voice to the silent
majority of humanity.
I have faith that if allowed to speak, the world will chose
wisely on these issues.
Jonathan
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