The social movement was live streamed: a relational analysis of mobile live streaming during the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Issue 1 (6th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fang, Kecheng
• Editors: Stromer-Galley, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer-mediated communication. Volume 28:Issue 1(2023)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-06
• Subjects: social movement -- digital journalism -- live streaming -- actor-network theory -- media ecology -- Anti-ELAB Movement -- Hong Kong; Telematics -- Periodicals; Computer networks -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.20285
• DOI: 10.1093/jcmc/zmac033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1083-6101

Abstract

Abstract: This study proposes a sociotechnical framework to study digital media and social movements and uses it to analyze the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. Informed by actor-network theory, this framework examines media technology as infrastructure, practice, and text, and discusses its relation to other actors/actants in the network of social movements. Based on qualitative analysis of live streaming sessions and in-depth interviews with journalists and audiences, I identify and explicate the major actors/actants related to mobile live streaming and argue that mobile live streaming became an obligatory passage point through which actors/actants reached other parts of the network and realized their goals. The assemblage of heterogeneous actors/actants not only contributed to the solidarity and longevity of the movement but also brought risks. This study extends the line of research on media technology and social movements by proposing a framework that examines one specific media technology while maintaining an ecological lens. Lay Summary: Mobile live streaming was considered a key media technology in the 2019 Hong Kong protests. It was not simply because of the technology itself. Rather, its importance was made by how this technology interacted with other actors in the social movement. For example, the protesters adopted a highly fluid strategy, and it was very difficult to capture their flash mob-like moves by bulky professional cameras. Mobile live streaming became the perfect technology for the movement. Citizens who supported the protests but could not join offline relied on the technology to be involved because they could post live comments while watching. Opponents of the movement also largely relied on it to criticize protesters and express their support for the police. The use of mobile live streaming not only connected more people, promoted emotional involvement, and enhanced the solidarity of the movement, but also brought risks.