Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.118> Article
Research Article

The Absence and Construction of Rational Communication — A Case Study of Network Public Opinion on the Shanxi Engagement Rape Case

Yutong LiNanchang University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In the post-truth era, online gender public opinions are frequently characterized by emotional polarization, factual deviation and group confrontation. The absence of rational communication mechanisms disrupts network communication order, exacerbates gender conflicts and damages the online ecological environment, posing major challenges to public opinion governance. Focusing on the rational deficiency of gender-related public communication, this paper takes the typical Shanxi Engagement Rape Case as the research object and adopts literature research, case analysis, discourse analysis and content analysis methods. By reviewing relevant theories and analyzing public opinion data, this study explores the core causes of irrational gender communication. The results indicate that algorithmic information cocoons, traffic-driven self-media operation, and prevalent gender stereotypes jointly trigger public opinion alienation and intensified gender confrontation. This paper clarifies the formation logic of gender public opinion chaos and provides practical references for standardizing media reporting, easing online gender conflicts and constructing a rational network communication system.

Keywords: rational communication; network public opinion; gender confrontation; information cocoon; post-truth
Published: August 12, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.HT36107
Volume: CHR Vol.118
pp. 34-40
Download PDF

References

  1. Pan, X. Y., Ye, A. T., & Zhou, Y. X. (2025). Media images of men and women in online news headlines—A theme and emotion analysis based on headline texts of hot events.Youth Journalist(11), 94-101.
  2. Liu, X. Y. (2025). Research on emotional polarization and discourse game of online gender dispute public opinions.New Media Research(5), 9-12.
  3. Yu, X., & Wang, J. P. (2024). From technology to audience: Research orientation and development approach of information cocoon effect.Youth Journalist(4), 78-83.
  4. Chen, L. M. (2025). Guard against the "emotional cocoon" tearing social consensus.Xinhua Daily.
  5. Fan, H. X., Sun, J. B., & Ma, Y. Y. (2015). Gender politics and male hegemony in Chinese media reports—A case study of media reports on the Song Shanmu rape case.Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China), 37(3), 52-57.
  6. Yang, Y. (2025). Media anomie and governance path of judicial public opinions in the post-truth era.News Communication(6), 41-43.
  7. Zhou, H. (2025). Research on the psychological mechanism and communication logic of online group polarization.Audio-Visual(4), 89-91.
  8. Ji, D. (2023). The beneficiary paradox in the online public sphere—An investigation of male supporters' status in feminist solidarity.Chinese Journal of Journalism & Communication, 45(9), 71-90.
  9. Wu, T. (2025). Evolution and guidance strategy of network public opinions under folk custom and rule of law conflicts.Youth Journalist(13), 76-78.
  10. Chen, M. X. (2025). Conflict and negotiation: Research on women's discourse expression in online public events—A case study of the Tangshan assault incident [Doctoral dissertation, Chengdu: Chengdu University of Technology].