Will the Government Response Definitely Ease Public Opinion on Hot Topics? —An Emotional Analysis Based on Short Videos

Communications between the government and the public have great significance in today's digital era, with social media giants like TikTok emerging as powerful channels that shape and reflect public opinion. However, when the government responds to popular online public opinion events, does it always have the ability to influence public sentiment and alleviate the situation? To explore this, we chose the “Hu Xinyu Incident” as a case study and we employed the ResNet50 image sentiment analysis model to analyze the emotional characteristics of TikTok videos. Our research focused on examining the changes in sentiment among TikTok bloggers before and after the government's response, and we conducted an empirical analysis to understand how the content of the government's response will impact the bloggers' emotions. The results are revealing. First, we found that, with respect to hot online public opinion issues on TikTok, the government's response sometimes aggravates negative sentiments rather than easing them. This suggests that a more nuanced approach is needed to address such situations. Second, we find that both the substantive content and the timing of the government's response significantly impact the bloggers' emotions. A high-quality, empathetic, and timely response from the government tends to evoke positive reactions from the bloggers, hence fostering a sense of trust and understanding. Conversely, a delayed, inadequate, or tone-deaf government response often leads to an escalation of negative sentiments, fueling dissatisfaction, skepticism, and even outright hostility. These insights have profound implications for government efforts to manage and calm online public opinion on platforms such as TikTok. By understanding the intricacies of sentiment dynamics on social media, governments can craft more effective and nuanced communication strategies. Moreover, governments should also recognize the power of social media in amplifying both positive and negative messages. By leveraging this platform effectively, governments not only can mitigate potential crises but also enhance public engagement and participation in the policy-making processes. In conclusion, government responses to hot issues in online public opinion on TikTok play a pivotal role in shaping public sentiment and maintaining social harmony. By utilizing advanced sentiment analysis tools and adopting a nuanced communications strategy, governments can effectively manage and calm online public opinion, thereby fostering a more trustful and engaged relationship with the public in the digital age.