REGIONAL BIASES IN INTERNET DISCUSSIONS IN VIETNAM

Abstract

Regional biases, a quite controversial topic in Vietnam, have been shown to have a bad effect on an individual’s life. Despite this fact, barely has the issue been researched so far. Therefore, the current study was hoped to give a small contribution to the investigation of the problem by depicting an overall picture of regional biases in the area of Internet discussions. Specifically, answers to the four questions related to Internet user’ reactions towards other’s opinions, possible reasons for the formation of regional biases, their consequences and solutions to the issue were investigated. The last two aspects were analyzed based on the perspectives of the Internet users, not of the researcher. To get the results, nine online discussions were analyzed using the technique of content analysis. The findings show that the participants’ reactions towards different opinions can be extremely negative, neutral or positive. Also, first-hand and second-hand experience, bad service, history, geography, population are proposed to contribute to the formation of regional biases, and the consequences of regional biases are suggested to affect a large number of people by the participants. To solve the problem, mutual respect, multiple perspectives, mass media together with better behaviors and services are the key factors as the participants pointed out. Further research can be conducted to examine regional biases in a single online network or at other areas such as schools or companies.