Microblogs raise social awareness in China
Microblogging is making its presence felt in China, even though authorities have blocked popular sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Apart from serving as a networking vehicle, microblogging has also help raised social awareness and much more. One of these microbloggers is 24-year-old Sun Yijing, a self-confessed mircoblogging addict. She spends several hours a day updating her status, and swopping stories with friends and followers. “I’m interested in music and I also follow the microblogs of music lovers and critics. I’ve gained lots of music-related information,” said Miss Sun.
Like users on Facebook and Twitter, microbloggers can share photos and videos, record voicemail, follow famous personalities and leave comments. In the past year, the number of microbloggers has exploded to some 100 million.
To be a microblogger in China, all one needs is an email address, a password, and a username or pseudonym, and they are all set. However during this year’s National People’s Congress, one delegate was so worried that microblogging can be used to spread rumors that she has suggested that real names be used before one can sign up as a microblogger.