DigiActive.org

Tactic: using MSN Chat logo to show China pride

Written by Mary on May 5, 2008 – 2:19 pm -

Description: Users of MSN chat in China are adding a red heart to their MSN names (see image left) to demonstrate their support for China and the Olympics.

Organizer: Unknown but has official support from Microsoft. Appeal asking “Chinese people worldwide to use the red heart to express their love for China and to support Beijing’s Olympic Games” appeared on the Chinese MSN homepage.

Purpose of Action: Many Chinese feel under attack from France and CNN because the West “supports” Tibetan independence and is “anti-China” and “anti-Olympics.”

Organizing tools used: instant messaging (MSN chat)

Outcome: 7,000,000 people have added the little red heart to their MSN names over the past week.

Ease of Replication: Adding a logo to your MSN chat is very easy. GChat also allows using to add their own image/logo.

Source: www.people.com.cn (in Chinese), story also available in English here.
Hat Tip: Thanks to our Chinese translator for pointing out this story!

Tags: china, cnn, france, Instant Messaging, microsoft, msn, olympics, tibet
Posted in Asia, Instant Messaging, Tactics |