The ROLE of digital media in political issue

    Recently,the ‘Student Strike’ and ‘Occupy Central’ are happening in Hong Kong. Everyone is focus on this two issues and even a lot of international media,for example,

Times,BBC News or ABC News.They do the exact same thing,which is uploading the photos and the latest situation to the internet.The most convenient promotion method for the student strike and occupy central participants are using Facebook, Instagram,Whatsapp and Sina Weibo.The social media acts as a supporter,promoter,information source and communication platform.Everyone can express their opinion towards the topic of Occupy Central and the Student Strike,they do not need to be afraid their right of speech is losing.Social Media deliver the latest message and encourage the flip-flopper support the student strike and occupy central.Also,every citizens may be encouraged by different posts,photos and videos,which are being uploaded in the social media.Thats why the social media can encourage us supporting the strike and make us believe what we are doing right now is a correct decision. 

     In my case,I never support any governmental activates or protest.This time I decided to stand up and support the student strike and occupy central.I knew my university studies maybe affected by the campaign and my parents maybe worry about my safety.But after I saw the police using the pepper spray to the unarmed people and a video that the police using the pepper spray against an elderly men within 1 meter.This action is very rube and dangerous because the speed of the spray may cause damage to the eyes.

The Student Strike (學聯罷課) Background:

   The Hong Kong Federation of Students advocate the first period of student strike starting from 22 September to 26 September.The Student Strike wants to encourage student realize the situation of Hong Kong nowadays and as a way to express their own opinion.The Student Strike aims to establish civil nomination as a valid nomination method for the 2017 Chief Executive election; start to reform of the Legislative Council (LegCo), abolishing all functional constituency seats; make an official apology to the Hong Kong people, and withdraw the injustice resolution on the electoral reform and finally get a  official response from CY Leung*.

Occupy Central (佔領中環) Background:

Occupy Central Logo

    Occupy Central is organized for almost one year time by Benny Tai and other leaders.It aims to foment democratic change by attacking the heart of Central,the financial hub of Hong Kong*. In recent, the Occupy Central and the Student Strike combine together because there are different people with multi-identity support the campaign and start occupying street in MongKok,Causeway Bay and Admiralty.When the police conduct violent clearance with pepper spray and tear gas,the situation is changed badly.

     Now,Occupy Central is also called ‘Umbrella Revolution’.

    Finally,I think the digital media enlarged the participation of the political issue. It is because the citizens know more about the background of the political topic and the idea of the campaign.While every citizens understand what is going on in the society,they may want to stand up and say their opinion out loud rather than living in silent.Digital Media provides us a lot of opportunities to understand the purpose and reasons.

*Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Hong_Kong_class_boycott_campaign

*Chinese Expert:Occupy Central Campaign in hong Kong May Be Inspired By Anti-China forces -http://en.ria.ru/analysis/20140929/193431795/Chinese-Expert-Occupy-Central-Campaign-in-Hong-Kong-May-Be.html