How are the exposed disciplined? : media and political accountability in China/ Titi Zhou

This study examining how the Chinese government responds to exposed agents. It finds that media exposure conditionally contributes to the discipline of agents. Exposed agents may be punished when their malfeasance gains high publicity, especially when the malfeasance falls under the high-priority concerns of the government. Hence, while media exposure constitutes a form of third-party monitoring, the discipline of exposed agents is conditional. The pressure on the government is linked to its perception of threats to its authority or legitimacy arising from media exposure. The high publicity of certain malfeasance also assists the government in tackling problems of higher priority.

china