Pushing the pro-democracy agenda after the 1997 handover : protest politics, political advocacy and the media in the semi-democratic Hong Kong

The research investigates political communication in a semi-democratic Hong Kong post 1997. It is particularly interested why and how pro-democracy agendas enter the public-media arena. The research hypothesises that the ability to set and control the public-media agenda (what the public read and view) is not concentrated solely in the hands of the state (government and governor) but is dispersed amongst various groups in Hong Kong civil society. It argues that despite their relative lack of resources, various political parties and pressure groups are able to bring the certain issues to public prominence. While this is a competitive struggle, such groups are aided by a largely independent media. The research challenges those who argue that Hong Kong, since 1997, is witnessing a strengthening of state power at the expense of civil society and the growth of media censorship. On the contrary, this research suggests that political communication in civil society is alive and well and is often critical of the powers that be.;This research examines the formation of pro-democracy agendas in the Hong Kong media. It highlights the main political communication actors; their media centred dispositions, use of public relations strategies, and interrelationships. The study looks into the way parties, pressure groups and the government try to shape the flow nature of information in the media and how they try to influence debates in civil society. It develops two case studies; in particular it focuses on the discussion of ideas and politics during the legislation of Article 23. In this setting it shows how the different political actors mentioned seek to control the public agenda and through this shape public opinion. Finally, it tries to assess what implications the findings have for fledgling democracy in Hong Kong.