Taming Chinese Cyberspace
-- a vision from Weibo

Yicheng Zhu

Reg. No. 110136970

Course: JNL 6032 Media Censorship

Course leader: Dr. John Steel

Abstract
In this essay the recent fashion of Weibo in Chinese media is discussed, especially on the Chinese authorities and government's attitude towards it, moreover and more importantly, the way of how Weibo is being censored is explained.

According to previous theories, internet cannot be regarded as a safe and free place for ideas and liberated speeches, Weibo is a good and exaggerated example as it is born in China--a nation long been considered to be less democratic.

But is it really true? Was the limit of speech and media censorship really necessary? How does China want to assert them?

Introduction
As the 'Arab Spring' had cause enormous shake in the Middle East and north Africa, we had witnessed other great overthrows of regimes, and internet undoubtedly participated as a important role in the movement. When another civic protest took place in numerous western countries, we can also sense the huge power emanated by the social networks.

The Chinese government was well aware of this, and they had foreseen the danger and unrest that these social networks could bring, 2 years earlier Twitter was officially shut sown---possibly because of the riot in Xinjiang one month before the blocking--and Weibo appeared as a Chinese replica to replace it.

As theories have been given suggesting that internet is not a insurance for democracy of freedom of speech, Weibo is an exaggerated example to explain them. This is because the Chinese government is more careful with these new inventions and is stricter when they are facing dissidents.

It is beyond doubt that Weibo had offered Chinese internet with more vigor and freedom. It created a new fashion of internet