Body Narratives Video: Exploring a New Discourse on Gender Power in Mainland China- A Case Study of the #FreeTheChokingGirl Hashtag Action on TikTok

Abstract

By combining both senders and receivers, self-media development has provided the public with a free voice and an opportunity for female self-expression. Women and girls are increasingly engaging in feminist criticism and activism using digital media technologies to publicly protest misogyny, rape culture, and general sexism (Keller et al., 2018). This study examines two cultural identities, gender and digital, by investigating the #FreeTheChokingGirl hashtag movement that has gained widespread attention recently on Chinese social media platforms. The purpose of this study is to analyse Chinese feminists' activities both online and offline, as well as the controversies surrounding female discourse, using a social semiotics methodology.