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Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study

Publication ,  Journal Article
Xu, P; Krueger, B; Liang, F; Zhang, M; Hutchison, M; Chang, M
Published in: New Media and Society
January 1, 2023

Although China’s social credit system (SCS) is widely portrayed by Western media as repressive surveillance, recent studies show that it receives high levels of support among Chinese citizens. Previous research suggests that people support the SCS because they lack knowledge about the system. This study further examines the roles of media framing (Western vs Chinese framing) and monitored behaviors (financial vs social behaviors). The results from a survey experiment conducted in China (N = 1600) demonstrate that when exposed to Western framing, public support for the SCS is lower, but only when participants are informed that the SCS monitors social behavior. By contrast, when people are told that the SCS focuses on financial behavior, Western framing exposure is not associated with low levels of public support. The findings suggest that an expansion to social domains and exposure to Western media framing will likely result in decreased support for the system.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

New Media and Society

DOI

EISSN

1461-7315

ISSN

1461-4448

Publication Date

January 1, 2023

Related Subject Headings

  • Communication & Media Studies
  • 4701 Communication and media studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 3605 Screen and digital media
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 1902 Film, Television and Digital Media
 

Citation

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Xu, P., Krueger, B., Liang, F., Zhang, M., Hutchison, M., & Chang, M. (2023). Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study. New Media and Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231187823
Xu, P., B. Krueger, F. Liang, M. Zhang, M. Hutchison, and M. Chang. “Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study.” New Media and Society, January 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448231187823.
Xu P, Krueger B, Liang F, Zhang M, Hutchison M, Chang M. Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study. New Media and Society. 2023 Jan 1;
Xu, P., et al. “Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study.” New Media and Society, Jan. 2023. Scopus, doi:10.1177/14614448231187823.
Xu P, Krueger B, Liang F, Zhang M, Hutchison M, Chang M. Media framing and public support for China’s social credit system: An experimental study. New Media and Society. 2023 Jan 1;
Journal cover image

Published In

New Media and Society

DOI

EISSN

1461-7315

ISSN

1461-4448

Publication Date

January 1, 2023

Related Subject Headings

  • Communication & Media Studies
  • 4701 Communication and media studies
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 3605 Screen and digital media
  • 2001 Communication and Media Studies
  • 1902 Film, Television and Digital Media