QUEENS, N.Y. (March 20, 2017) – When Dr. King-wa Fu, an associate professor of Journalism and media studies at The University of Hong Kong became a Fulbright scholar, he did not expect to see such striking similarities between China and the United States.

Fu has spent years studying media and politics in China and Hong Kong. He has witnessed political leaders asking the media for loyalty. He cited the difference President Xi Jinping and President Trump is their approach. President Xi is not confrontational with the media, as President Trump is. Although, both have attempted to discredit media that has been critical of them.

“As a Chinese scholar who has been studying media and politics for many years now. We see this quite often in Chinese media” said Fu. “No matter where they are, they are building relationships with government and media.”

Fu is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about the effects of social media on the political process. Emphasizing that process remains “politics as usual” and that you truly cannot change anything without actual involvement in the process.

He cited examples of social media’s use in social movements such as the 2014 Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, 2014 Ukrainian Protests, and 2011 Occupy Wall Street. These movements were all sparked through social media to not only organize but to gain global attention.

The three examples all were sparked due to frustration over the elites dictating the direction of the nation. Fu stressed that social media is how these movements are able to receive international attention. “Abroad people lose interest. This kind of social media video drew a lot of attention from people that put pressure on the government” said Fu.

Dr. Fu cited that the issue with social media’s activism is their lack of formal organization. They can be successful on the short term scale, but they do not generate long-term impact

“I don’t think you can overturn Trump’s Presidency,” said Fu, in response to the recent protests and activism online after the election. Although, he remains hopeful that protests still have an impact. As he cited the recent impeachment process of South Korea’s President after being exposed for corruption.