1st Edition

The Independent Media Movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan Dissenting Voices

By Levon Kwok Copyright 2023
    124 Pages 6 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This book examines the independent media movements by Inmediahk and Coolloud – long-established, autonomous media organizations that have agitated for the development of media freedom and human rights in Hong Kong and Taiwan since 2004 and 1997, respectively.

    Based on direct interviews with the founders and core members of Inmediahk and Coolloud, the author investigates the origins, growth, and achievements of Inmediahk and Coolloud's media social movements as well as the current challenges the two independent media outlets encounter with regard to funding, increasing socio-political pressure, and the complicated media environments in Hong Kong and Taiwan using the method of qualitative content interpretation. Moreover, the practicality of social media and independent media in contemporary social movements, including the 2019 Anti-Extradition Bill Movement in Hong Kong, is reviewed according to text analysis.

    Considering the prospect of media activism from a non-western perspective, this book will appeal not only to scholars and researchers with interests in media, social movement, and cultural studies, but also to media workers and activists across the globe.

    1. Introduction 2. Fighting against Media Monopoly: Inmediahk 3. Standing with Laborers and Activists: Coolloud 4. Characteristics of Inmediahk and Coolloud’s Independent Media Movements 5. The Practicality of Social Media and Independent Media Conclusion: Implications of Inmediahk and Coolloud’s Independent Media Movements

    Biography

    Levon Kwok is an independent scholar, and holds a PhD from the University of Bonn, Germany. His commentaries and articles about current affairs and civil movements have appeared in online news media. His research interest concerns media activism and anarchist philosophies and cultures.