The Impact Of Network Discourse On Government Accountability

With the development of Internet technology, the right-power of discourse ischanging from the traditional unified pattern to the modern diverse pattern, this is thenetwork discourse bred in the soil of new technology and new media. It has been apowerful force of public opinion, and affects all aspects of government actions. Thenetwork discourse relies on network expression, mainly embodies dual features ofRight and Power.Power is a passive influence which means an acting force to the object in thediscourse. Right is a kind of active ascendant, in the discourse that means the one hasits own discourse competence which could affect others. Otherwise, the networkdiscourse is free and open without the nature of authority and centralization thatpossesses a strong impact to the government accountability.The problems of traditional government accountability mainly include lacking ofsubjects, imperfection of law, lagging of concept and narrow range of accountability.The expression of network discourse may solve these problems. Based on various anddistinct subjects, features, media and behaviors, the network discourse has a strong influence on the government accountability. It can not only promote theacross-the-aboard government accountability, stimulate the growth of publicdemocratic spirit, but also effectively urge officials to show great self-discipline andself-control, effectively improve the image of the government.Of course, the expression of the network discourse may have negative impact ongovernment accountability, such as the "Group Polarization" caused by accumulationof irrational public opinions and "Mass Incidents" caused by spread of Internetrumors. This requires the government on the one hand to perfect the laws andregulations of network in order to protect the public network discourse, improve theinformation disclosure system and response mechanisms to enhance the ability to dealwith the network discourse, on the other hand to enhance the quality of networksubjects and government officials, purify the environment of network discourse, keepa positive attitude to face the internet discourse. At the same time, the governmentshould give appropriate support in technique and talents, so as to generate the greatestpositive impact on government accountability by the expression of network discourse.