final presentation

Confirming and Dispelling Myths: A Study of Political Consciousness through Media and Education: 

Confirming and Dispelling Myths: A Study of Political Consciousness through Media and Education Kevin Williams Stephen Wong Tze Hang Sally Mok Siu Ngar Cindy Ho Sze Man January, 2005

Introduction: 

Introduction

Accepted Explanations for the Myth: 

Accepted Explanations for the Myth -Chinese Cultural Attributes -Pressure from Beijing -Economic Propensity -Colonialism -Social Practice -Distrust of Government

Slide4: 

Influence of Education and Mass Media Role Education plays in society Learned intellectual approaches Role of Media in Society Representation on events Explanation and reflection on issues

Education: 

Education Educational hierarchy Banding system Two public examinations Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) Post-secondary Education

Aims of Education system: 

Aims of Education system Provide equitable access to nine years' free and universal primary and junior secondary education to all children and provide subsidized senior secondary education or training to all Secondary 3 willing to continue education. Provide a balanced and diverse school education that meets the different needs of our students, and help them build up knowledge, values and skills for further studies and personal growth. Enhance students' bilingual and trilingual abilities. Enhance teaching quality and effectiveness in learning. Improve the learning and teaching environment. Help newly arrived children from the Mainland integrate into the local school system as soon as possible. enhance the quality, flexibility and accountability of school administration

Interviewees: 

Interviewees A. E. Sweeting, PhD. – Department of History: Visiting Professor HKU Eric C. Y. Lai – History Master Student: HKU Joanna Wong Wing Sze – Business Undergraduate Student: HKU David Tsui Sung Pong – Geography Undergraduate Student: HKU Francis Mok Him Man – Secondary School Student Lee King Hung – Secondary School Student

Opinion of Interviewees: 

Opinion of Interviewees Are Hong Kong residents apathetic? Myth Passivity rather than apathy Does the Hong Kong education system reinforces passivity? Interviewees agree

Reasons : 

Reasons Curriculum Detached Tight No Proper civic education Examination System Recitation/memorization oriented Quality of teachers Non-degree holder Attitude School Policies Promotion oriented Inefficient use of Government resources

Media: 

Media Two public television stations ATV TVB Thriving studio-based narrative film industry Three radio stations RTHK Metro Radio Commercial Radio Lack of emphasis on journalism as a profession Economy based artistic pursuit

Interviewees: 

Interviewees Peter Yung Wai-Chuen – Head of Producing/Production Management; School of Film and Television: The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Mark Erder – Managing Director: Asia Pacific Vision Christopher Slaughter – Business Development and Programming: Asia Pacific Vision Dima Khatib – Roving Correspondent: Al-Jazirah John Elphinstone – Free lance cameraman/editor Andy Hui-Shing Lau – Psychology Undergraduate Student: College of William and Mary Janice Chan – Psychology Undergraduate Student: College of William and Mary Li Chen Wing – Former Journalist: TVB Chan Chi Kin – Representative: HKU representative for the Hong Kong Federation of Students

Television and radio industries: 

Television and radio industries Entertainment-oriented Peak timeslots: soap operas Avoidance of sensitive political topics More reports on social and economic issues Neutral stand in political issues, especially those about the Beijing Government and the Chinese leaders Most criticisms towards HKSAR Government RTHK: major producer of programs related to political issues Operated by HKSAR Government For satisfying public More indirect ways in conveying the political messages E.g. Jin Zhi Yu Nie : showing discontent towards tradition of power struggle in Beijing Government

Press industry: 

Press industry More reports and comments on HK and Beijing political issues Clearer stands Apple Daily, Oriental Daily: criticizing HKSAR government most of the time Mingpao, Sing Tao: more neutral stand Takungpao: more Pro-Beijing Government More columns and articles commenting on sensitive political topics General immaturity of Press Corps

Film Industry: 

Film Industry Studio based narrative industry Independent Drama Began 1997 On the rise: some institutional encouragement Some garner acclaim Address social issues more often than politics Documentary Dominated by news industry (neutral in essence) Lacks distribution venues Lack interest from consignment firms Small underground movement exists

Activities: 

Activities Films Screened The Circle’s Corner (Lam Kin Hung, 2001) Y.M. – Yeung Ming (Chow Wing Fung, 2002) Rice Distribution (Tammy Cheung, 2002) Kung Fu Hustle (Chow, 2004) Various Shorts Places Visited City Forum HMV Hong Kong Film Archives

Reasons: 

Reasons Intangible pressure from Chinese Communist Government, especially after 1997 TV and Radio: Securing interests: keeping advertisers Public interests and needs: mainly entertainment and leisure

Opinion of interviewees: 

Opinion of interviewees Most Hong Kong people are not politically apathetic Emphasis on the necessities for watching and reading news daily for students Hot discussions on political issues in family and with friends Lots of online discussion boards and forums Political gatherings and functions held in schools, e.g. joining the July 1 Mass Demonstration; protests against Article 23 Student political association: Hong Kong Federation of Students The “fact of participation”

Slide18: 

Stands and opinions of media affecting the thought of most Hong Kong people Most popular newspapers, Oriental Daily and Apple Daily => most Hong Kong people not supporting HKSAR government policies Negative images of active participation in politics created by media Traditional social values Involvement in politics is not condoned Parents do not allow youth to participate in political activities

Slide19: 

Passivity of Hong Kong residents Problems in Educational system Very few chances for expressing views Improvement after 1997 More students enrolled in Politics courses More big events which provoke the “nationalism” among Hong Kong residents, e.g. Article 23, outbreak of SARS => more concern towards the “one country, two systems” Increasing number of voters

Weaknesses in Approach: 

Weaknesses in Approach Narrow spectrum of interview subjects Education level Professional similarity Consciousness of western systems

Slide21: 

Conclusion Apathy is a matter of definition All social spheres participating in some manner Thoughts of academic sphere Style of governmental approach