Abstract
This paper examines the role that was played by news Web sites in two regions with different degrees of Internet press freedom in the SARS crisis. Six online news sites in Hong Kong and mainland China were selected for investigation. The findings indicate that the news sites in Hong Kong, which enjoy a high degree of Internet press freedom, acted as “interactive crisis managers,” and contributed in a number of ways to the management of the SARS crisis in the community. On the contrary, the news sites in the mainland China, which are restricted by media censorship, served as government’s “online agent of containment.” The findings show that news sites were able to offer efficient warnings, timely education, and a network of support during the crisis because of the unique characteristics of the Internet medium. However, due to the constraints on Internet press freedom, the Chinese sites were unable to take full advantage of the Internet medium to play a positive role in the management of the crisis.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 27 May 2005 |
| Event | 55th Annual International Communication Association Conference, ICA 2005: Communication: Questioning The Dialogue - New York, United States Duration: 26 May 2005 → 30 May 2005 https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/ica/ica05/ (Link to conference online programme) |
Conference
| Conference | 55th Annual International Communication Association Conference, ICA 2005 |
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| Abbreviated title | ICA2005 |
| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | New York |
| Period | 26/05/05 → 30/05/05 |
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