The Discourse Competition of Traditional Mainstream Media in the New Media Era — Research of Audience’s Recognition Based on Commentaries of People’s Daily Weibo
This study addressed the audience’s attitudes towards commentaries of People’s Daily
Weibo. The Q-methodology was employed for collecting data and, in total, 30 graduate students were
interviewed for the study. Four types were identified, namely: Rationalists, Witnesses, Academists and
Dream-chasers. According to results, feasible strategies for traditional mainstream media to occupy
the discourse high ground were put forward, scilicet, making full use of the advantages of professional
production, improving the propagation mode of mainstream discourse, and enhancing the pertinence
of public opinion guidance in sensitive areas.