Reporting Sexual Violence and #MeToo in Asia : The View from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Taiwan

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of news media and social media in the propagation and treatment of the global #MeToo movement.

This comparative study uniquely spans Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China—three culturally similar yet legally and politically distinct societies—to elucidate the variations in media systems in each society and the influence these differences bear on the role and impact of news media on social movements and rape culture. The author examines how journalistic coverage of rape cases and #MeToo has shaped public discourse, contributed to cyber activism, and influenced the strategies adopted by activists in these contexts, illuminating the complexities of news production processes, the influence of cultural contexts on media narratives, and the power of social media discourse. Taking into account the journalistic constraints and challenges in reporting sexual violence, effective strategies for public engagement and action are discussed alongside the potential for platforms to serve as support networks for survivors, proffering solutions for more effective and supportive reporting of sexual violence.

Offering invaluable new insights into the relationship between news media and sexual violence, this book is recommended reading for advanced students and researchers of media, gender, and social change.