China's internet 'spin doctors'

[LaoSexMachine]

China's internet 'spin doctors'


By Michael Bristow
BBC News, Beijing
China is using an increasing number of paid "internet commentators" in a sophisticated attempt to control public opinion.
These commentators are used by government departments to scour the internet for bad news - and then negate it.
They post comments on websites and forums that spin bad news into good in an attempt to shape public opinion.
Chinese leaders seem aware that the internet - the only public forum where views can be freely expressed - needs close attention.
China's Communist Party leaders have long sought to sway public opinion by controlling what the media can report.
That policy was extended to the internet, and many websites are blocked by a system sometimes dubbed the "great firewall of China".
Rumours and opinions
But cyberspace - where views can be expressed instantly and anonymously - is not as easy to control as traditional news outlets.


Comments, rumours and opinions can be quickly spread between internet groups in a way that makes it hard for the government to censor. So instead of just trying to prevent people from having their say, the government is also attempting to change they way they think.
To do this, they use specially trained - and ideologically sound - internet commentators.
They have been dubbed the "50-cent party" because of how much they are reputed to be paid for each positive posting (50 Chinese cents; $0.07; £0.05).
"Almost all government departments face criticism that is beyond their control," said Xiao Qiang, of the University of California at Berkeley.
"There is nothing much they can do, other than organise their own spinning teams to do their public relations," said the journalism professor, who monitors China.
Spin machine
A document released by the public security bureau in the city of Jiaozuo in Henan province boasts of the success of this approach.
It retells the story of one disgruntled citizen who posted an unfavourable comment about the police on a website after being punished for a traffic offence.
One of the bureau's internet commentators reported this posting to the authorities within 10 minutes of it going up.
The bureau then began to spin, using more than 120 people to post their own comments that neatly shifted the debate.
"Twenty minutes later, most postings supported the police - in fact many internet users began to condemn the original commentator," said the report.


These internet opinion-formers obviously need to show loyalty and support to the authorities. They also need other skills, as a document from the hygiene department in the city of Nanning in Guangxi province makes clear.
"[They] need to possess relatively good political and professional qualities, and have a pioneering and enterprising spirit," the document said.
They also need to be able to react quickly, it went on.
'Tens of thousands'
The practice of hiring these commentators was started a couple of years ago by local governments which found it hard to control public opinion.
They could not rely on Beijing to monitor and block every single piece of news about their localities, so they came up with their own solution.
Internet commentators have now become widespread, according to experts. Some estimate that there are now tens of thousands of them.
There are also reports that special centres have been set up to train China's new army of internet spin doctors.
Their job is more important than it would be elsewhere in the world.
"Politically, the internet is more important in China than in other societies because it's the only public space where people can express themselves," said Professor Xiao.
That is a point that has not escaped Chinese President Hu Jintao.
When he chatted online in an internet forum earlier this year he said it was important to set up "a new pattern of media guidance" for the internet.
China's teams of state-sponsored commentators have a lot of work ahead of them.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7783640.stm

[Hollis]

Deja Vu, here on MP.Net.

[gaijinsamurai]

I wonder what Satelite Weapon/Freedom Fries/9mm Rifle is up to these days.

[LaoSexMachine]

I wonder what Satelite Weapon/Freedom Fries/9mm Rifle is up to these days.

Toy factories are shutting down. Probably loitering in a Chinese Home Depot parking lot.

[Rilence]

Oh lord I sure hope they post in this thread. :)



(You know who you are)

[Ozzy[NO]]

I guess they made some "good" money here on MP.net during the last Tibet-riot(or whatever it's called these days)

[Mr.Flint]

No wonder Fage stopped posting :) Probably got fired, for being outed as an agent...

[Ordie]

So if we say good things about China (in flowery terms), does that mean we increase the unemployment rate in China?

[Hollis]

So if we say good things about China (in flowery terms), does that mean we increase the unemployment rate in China?


Are you trying to give us guilt trips?

Maybe they can share the wealth, off shore the "counter spin jobs".

Yes China is a very free country, people love it there. That is why they don't leave, unless it is a organ transplant part.

Mao is Groovy.

[Ordie]

Are you trying to give us guilt trips?

Maybe they can share the wealth, off shore the "counter spin jobs".

Yes China is a very free country, people love it there. That is why they don't leave, unless it is a organ transplant part.

Mao is Groovy.

I just posted several articles about China.
Let's see what happens....p-)

[ronnieraygun]

Here's a gem from my profile page. I didn't really ask this guy to do it, but I called him out with mild belligerence for rocking out a North Korean flag as an avatar. I just wasn't cool with a small cadre hoarding a stash of VSOP while the rest of the country is malnourished. The rest is the strangest thing I've ever had to decipher in a while...




07-23-2008 02:29 AM
vnshanghai

Dear Ronnie
That's why I knew that the Americans always want to have the rights to bullied others countries....and always called the others named "****head"-U are lack polite and uneducated people

No needs callled me that "****head"...I think "****head" is more suitalbe with U than me,
Do U dare to say that U-An Americans....dont' want your Goverment to invades Iran?
Once again, thanks and I understand more about one American People likes you
<LI class=smallfont>View Conversation
Report

<LI class=floatcontainer id=vmessage4438>http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/image.php?u=50690&dateline=1218083964&type=thumb
07-23-2008 02:19 AM
vnshanghai

Thanks.Your avatars are ****ing cute too.
Do U think that if U wear a cope...U can become a Friar, huh???and the same with my avatars?
Just lookback yourself...and your avatars,hehe
I guess U're American or Jews?right?

[BloodyTalon]

Maybe good ol' MP.Net is the exception to the rule, but from what I've seen the Chicom Internet Brigade isn't exactly all that effective. Most of the time they're not only obvious but hilariously terrible at their job.

[WKD]

A LETTER FROM AN ORDINARY CHINESE

When we were seen as "Sick Men from East Asia", we were called The Peril.
When we strived to get stronger, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors to the world, you forced them open with drugs and guns.
When we finally embraced Free Trade, you blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and robbed us blind.
When we put the broken pieces back together again, "Free tÂbet" you screamed, it was an invasion!
So, we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communists.
Then we learned from Capitalism, you hated us for being Capitalists.
When we had a billion people, you said "The planet is starving."
So we tried to limit our population, you said it was Human Rights Abuse.
When we were poor, you think we are dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your debts.
When we build our industries, you blame us for global warming.
When we sell you goods you can afford, you blame us for dumping inferior products.
When we buy oil, you called that exploitation and assisting genocide.
When you fight for oil, you called that Liberation of Its People.
When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you wanted Rules of Law for us.
When we uphold our law and order against violence, you called that Violating Human Rights.
When we were silent, you said we have No Free Speech.
When we are NOW silent no more, you say we are merely "Brainwashed".
"Why do you hate us so much?" We asked.
"No" You answered, "We don't hate you."
Truth is we really don't hate you either, but do you understand us?
"Of course we do" You said, "We have BBC, CNN and AFPs."
So we ask you now "What do you really know and want from us?"
And "Why do you find it SO hard to accept us?"

[playtym]

China is using an increasing number of paid "internet commentators" in a sophisticated attempt to control public opinion.

Sophisticated? rofl

Man, that's got to be the funniest thing I've read all year, I thought their attempts were clumsy and inept, at best.

[chino65]

"Fcuk all of you western imperialist pigs!!!"

OK, where's my 50cents?:roll:

Does this make me afraid of being branded a PRC lackey if I speak in favour of it?

NO!

So fcuk all of you. CHINA IS GREAT!!!!

(I'll going to check my bank account. woot)

EDIT: Just checked. Nope, no money from the PRC government yet.

[delio]

Want some Irony with that? Check out what they are called: Wu Mao Dang.

I wrote about the funny story behind it some time ago:

It seems the Chinese government has a paid army of up to 280,000 for just that kind of stuff. It called the “Fifty Cent Party” or, alternatively, either the“red vests” or the “red vanguard.” 'The term Fifty Cent Party, or wumaodang,' is derived from the fact the each individual is paid about 50 mao (!)for just about every positive comment they post.

Via the Wall Street Journal, from one of their sister publication, ..


China’s Guerrilla War for the Web (http://www.feer.com/essays/2008/august/chinas-guerrilla-war-for-the-web)




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpomf.../tales/?p=1263 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpomfqb3QVY&eurl=http://www.feer.com/tales/?p=1263)

____

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?p=3726995

Mr. Mao must be proud of his and their work.

[BloodyTalon]

A LETTER FROM AN ORDINARY CHINESE

When we were seen as "Sick Men from East Asia", we were called The Peril.
When we strived to get stronger, we are called The Threat.
When we closed our doors to the world, you forced them open with drugs and guns.
When we finally embraced Free Trade, you blame us for taking away your jobs.
When we were falling apart, you marched in your troops and robbed us blind.
When we put the broken pieces back together again, "Free tÂbet" you screamed, it was an invasion!
So, we tried Communism, you hated us for being Communists.
Then we learned from Capitalism, you hated us for being Capitalists.
When we had a billion people, you said "The planet is starving."
So we tried to limit our population, you said it was Human Rights Abuse.
When we were poor, you think we are dogs.
When we loan you cash, you blame us for your debts.
When we build our industries, you blame us for global warming.
When we sell you goods you can afford, you blame us for dumping inferior products.
When we buy oil, you called that exploitation and assisting genocide.
When you fight for oil, you called that Liberation of Its People.
When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you wanted Rules of Law for us.
When we uphold our law and order against violence, you called that Violating Human Rights.
When we were silent, you said we have No Free Speech.
When we are NOW silent no more, you say we are merely "Brainwashed".
"Why do you hate us so much?" We asked.
"No" You answered, "We don't hate you."
Truth is we really don't hate you either, but do you understand us?
"Of course we do" You said, "We have BBC, CNN and AFPs."
So we ask you now "What do you really know and want from us?"
And "Why do you find it SO hard to accept us?"
Fair enough; with that letter we won't call the Chinese "Sick Men of East Asia" anymore.

After all, "Whiny Emo Kids of East Asia" is much more descriptive and contemporary.

[Mr.Flint]

Fair enough; with that letter we won't call the Chinese "Sick Men of East Asia" anymore.

After all, "Whiny Emo Kids of East Asia" is much more descriptive and contemporary.
Lol, so true

[WKD]

Fair enough; with that letter we won't call the Chinese "Sick Men of East Asia" anymore.

After all, "Whiny Emo Kids of East Asia" is much more descriptive and contemporary.


HAHA. I'm using that one.

[badguy2000]

hi,where is My 50 cents?

[TheMiddlePath]

What a stupid article. Michael Bristow and BBC News must be posting for Fa Lung Gong Newspaper and getting paid by NED for each post.

[BloodyTalon]

What a stupid article. Michael Bristow and BBC News must be posting for Fa Lung Gong Newspaper and getting paid by NED for each post.
Serious question now: Aside from the .50 Yuan you get per post, do you happen to get any bonus commissioning for condemning Falun Gong, NED, Tibet, etc. in your posts even when they have nothing to do with the thread? Just wonderin.

[badguy2000]

China's internet 'spin doctors'


By Michael Bristow
BBC News, Beijing
China is using an increasing number of paid "internet commentators" in a sophisticated attempt to control public opinion.
These commentators are used by government departments to scour the internet for bad news - and then negate it.
They post comments on websites and forums that spin bad news into good in an attempt to shape public opinion.
Chinese leaders seem aware that the internet - the only public forum where views can be freely expressed - needs close attention.
China's Communist Party leaders have long sought to sway public opinion by controlling what the media can report.
That policy was extended to the internet, and many websites are blocked by a system sometimes dubbed the "great firewall of China".
Rumours and opinions
But cyberspace - where views can be expressed instantly and anonymously - is not as easy to control as traditional news outlets.


Comments, rumours and opinions can be quickly spread between internet groups in a way that makes it hard for the government to censor. So instead of just trying to prevent people from having their say, the government is also attempting to change they way they think.
To do this, they use specially trained - and ideologically sound - internet commentators.
They have been dubbed the "50-cent party" because of how much they are reputed to be paid for each positive posting (50 Chinese cents; $0.07; £0.05).
"Almost all government departments face criticism that is beyond their control," said Xiao Qiang, of the University of California at Berkeley.
"There is nothing much they can do, other than organise their own spinning teams to do their public relations," said the journalism professor, who monitors China.
Spin machine
A document released by the public security bureau in the city of Jiaozuo in Henan province boasts of the success of this approach.
It retells the story of one disgruntled citizen who posted an unfavourable comment about the police on a website after being punished for a traffic offence.
One of the bureau's internet commentators reported this posting to the authorities within 10 minutes of it going up.
The bureau then began to spin, using more than 120 people to post their own comments that neatly shifted the debate.
"Twenty minutes later, most postings supported the police - in fact many internet users began to condemn the original commentator," said the report.


These internet opinion-formers obviously need to show loyalty and support to the authorities. They also need other skills, as a document from the hygiene department in the city of Nanning in Guangxi province makes clear.
"[They] need to possess relatively good political and professional qualities, and have a pioneering and enterprising spirit," the document said.
They also need to be able to react quickly, it went on.
'Tens of thousands'
The practice of hiring these commentators was started a couple of years ago by local governments which found it hard to control public opinion.
They could not rely on Beijing to monitor and block every single piece of news about their localities, so they came up with their own solution.
Internet commentators have now become widespread, according to experts. Some estimate that there are now tens of thousands of them.
There are also reports that special centres have been set up to train China's new army of internet spin doctors.
Their job is more important than it would be elsewhere in the world.
"Politically, the internet is more important in China than in other societies because it's the only public space where people can express themselves," said Professor Xiao.
That is a point that has not escaped Chinese President Hu Jintao.
When he chatted online in an internet forum earlier this year he said it was important to set up "a new pattern of media guidance" for the internet.
China's teams of state-sponsored commentators have a lot of work ahead of them.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/7783640.stm

it fully proves How BBC-style medias deliberatedly mislead western people.

So many wesern people's believing such rediculs articles just proves how limited and poor western people's knowledge about Chiense society is!


DO you really how such a "story" comes out?

------------------------------------------------------

In chinese websites ,pro-western CHinese and pro-CCP CHinese are arguing and scolding each other everyday.

When the both parties are pissing each other during website arguing,either lable each other bad and ugly tags.

For example,pro-western Chinese are taged by pro-CCP chinese as "western cyber-spies and JY[derived from "Jingying(elite)" ]"

Pro-CCP Chinese are taged by pro-western people as " Fenqing(Furious ****s) and Wu-mao-Dang[50-cent earners].


The article obviously comes from the tag "Wu-Mao-Dang"[50-cent earners].which means the guys who can earn 50 cents when they flatter Chinese government once in websites.

But In fact, "Wu-Mao-Dang" is nothing but a word for political-pissing,just like "Toledo", "Whig" and "Democ rats"

[Daft Ego]

This whole discussion reminds me of this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBBRhmH4S8A

My 2 cents.

[Hollis]

nice to see people earning their 50 cents.


Now what about responding to the cat is food thread.

[TheMiddlePath]

nice to see people earning their 50 cents.


Now what about responding to the cat is food thread.


Money drives everything.
Where do you think FaLungGong gets its money for their newspaper and their TV channel that publish and broadcast nothing but lies.
Not to mention their Chinese New Year extravaganza dance troupe.

[BloodyTalon]

Money drives everything.
Where do you think FaLungGong gets its money for their newspaper and their TV channel that publish and broadcast nothing but lies.
I'll take that as a "yes, I do get extra money for spouting off irrelevant nonsense about Falun Gong"

[TheMiddlePath]

Chinese government has some major problems.


How about the Bush administration ?

[BloodyTalon]

How about the Bush administration ?
Wow, what a biting and insightful retort...if this was 2005. :roll:

[Dispatcher]

So far, in this thread, about $4,- has been earned.


Carry on.