Research on the Dissemination of Controversial Events on Chinese Social Media Platforms: A Case Study of the Issue of Fat Cat Incident

The social media platform represented by Weibo, due to its immediacy, interactivity, and large user base, exerts a profound impact on the formation and development of public opinion. In this context, events that are the subject of controversy on social media can spread rapidly, triggering widespread social discussion and emotional fluctuations in a very short time. The Fat Cat Incident is a case in point, as it rapidly ignited public opinion through social media and became a widely discussed topic. The actions and statements of the various stakeholders involved in the incident, including public figures, companies, and the media, significantly influenced the dissemination of the event and the direction of public discourse on social media platforms. This phenomenon has sparked extensive discussions about how social media shapes public opinion, guides public emotions, and reflects deeper societal issues. This article will examine the mechanisms of dissemination and the formation of public opinion surrounding controversial events on social media platforms, with the Fat Cat Incident serving as a case study.