Political polarization on twitter: Implications for the use of social media in digital governments

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 777-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sounman Hong ◽  
Sun Hyoung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Political Interaction Beyond Party Lines: Communication Ties and Party Polarization in Parliamentary Twitter Networks

2021 ◽  
pp. 089443932098756
Author(s):  
Marc Esteve Del Valle ◽  
Marcel Broersma ◽  
Arnout Ponsioen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
Exponential Random Graph Models ◽  
Party Polarization ◽  
Exponential Random Graph ◽  
Political Networks ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
High Degree

A growing body of research has examined the uptake of social media by politicians, the formation of communication ties in online political networks, and the interplay between social media and political polarization. However, few studies have analyzed how social media are affecting communication in parliamentary networks. This is especially relevant in highly fragmented political systems in which collaboration between political parties is crucial to win support in parliament. Does MPs’ use of social media foster communications among parliamentarians who think differently, or does it result in like-minded clusters polarized along party lines, confining MPs to those who think alike? This study analyzes the formation of communication ties and the degree of homophily in the Dutch MPs’ @mention Twitter network. We employed exponential random graph models on a 1-year sample of all tweets in which Dutch MPs mentioned each other ( N = 7,356) to discover the network parameters (reciprocity, popularity, and brokerage) and individual attributes (seniority, participation in the parliamentary commissions, age, gender, and geographical area) that facilitate communication ties among parliamentarians. Also, we measured party polarization by calculating the external–internal index of the mentions. Dutch MPs’ communication ties arise from network dynamics (reciprocity, brokerage, and popularity) and from MPs’ participation in the parliamentary commissions, age, gender, and geographical area. Furthermore, there is a high degree of cross-party interactions in the Dutch MPs’ mentions Twitter network. Our results refute the existence of “echo chambers” in the Dutch MPs’ mentions Twitter network and support the hypothesis that social media can open up spaces for discussion among political parties. This is particularly important in fragmented consensus democracies where negotiation and coordination between parties to form coalitions is key.

Making friends and enemies on social media: the case of gun policy organizations

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Merry
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Interest Groups ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
National Rifle Association ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Echo Chambers ◽  
Making Friends ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of interest groups in the formation of online echo chambers and to determine whether interest groups’ use of social media contributes to political polarization. Design/methodology/approach This study used a content analysis of nearly 10,000 tweets (from 2009 to 2014) by the Brady campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the National Rifle Association to examine how groups engage with their political allies and opponents. Findings The results indicated that both groups engaged primarily with their supporters on Twitter while avoiding confrontation with their opponents. In particular, both groups used hashtags designed to reach their supporters, retweeted messages almost exclusively from other users with whom they agreed, and disproportionately used Twitter handles of their allies, while avoiding the use of Twitter handles of their opponents. Practical implications The findings suggest that interest groups’ use of social media accelerates the formation of online echo chambers, but does not lead to an increase in polarization beyond existing levels, given practices that maintain civility between opposing sides. Originality/value This is one of few studies to examine the role of interest groups in the formation of online echo chambers. It also uses a novel approach – the examination of both the interactions that occur among social media users and those that are explicitly avoided.

scholarly journals Produção de conhecimento pelas mídias sociais: um olhar retrospectivo da polarização política dos fenômenos do Brexit e do impeachment presidencial de 2016 | Knowledge production by social media: a retrospective look at the political polarization of the Brexit phenomena and the Presidential impeachment of 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Cristina Dufloth ◽  
Cristina Camila Teles Saldanha
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Knowledge Production ◽  
Political Polarization ◽  
The Political ◽  
Democratic Process ◽  
Production Of Knowledge ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of Social Media

RESUMO O artigo aborda o uso de mídias sociais na criação de sentido voltada à produção de conhecimento a partir da polarização política no Reino Unido e no Brasil. Foi analisado o teor das manifestações apresentadas em hashtags do Twitter sobre o Brexit e o impeachment de 2016. Nas mídias sociais, o estudo evidencia comportamentos polarizados, porém distintos: no Reino Unido destacam-se os efeitos da decisão e, no Brasil, o posicionamento ideológico envolvido na questão. Conclui-se que nesses contextos de polarização, as mídias sociais intensificam o debate e a diversidade de opiniões, favoráveis ao processo democrático e à produção de conhecimento estimulada pela ambiguidade.Palavras-chave: Mídias Sociais Digitais; Polarização Política; Produção de Conhecimento; Brexit; Impeachment 2016.   ABSTRACT The article discusses the use of social media in the creation of sense directed to knowledge production based on political polarization in the United Kingdom and Brazil. It analyzed the content of the manifestations presented in Twitter hashtags on the Brexit and the impeachment of 2016. In the social media, the study evidences polarized, but distinct behaviors: in the United Kingdom the effects of the decision stand out and, in Brazil, the positioning involved in the issue. It is concluded that in these contexts of polarization, social media intensify the debate and diversity of opinions favorable to the democratic process and the production of knowledge stimulated by ambiguity.Keywords:Digital Social Media. Political Polarization; Knowledge Production; Brexit; 2016; Impeachment.            

Web-Based Financial Reporting: An Interpretative Model for Corporate Communications on Social Media

2017 ◽  
pp. 79-112
Author(s):  
Paola Ramassa ◽  
Costanza Di Fabio
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Corporate Communications ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Financial Communication ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Interpretative Model

This paper aims at contributing to financial reporting literature by proposing a conceptual interpretative model to analyse the corporate use of social media for financial communication purposes. In this perspective, the FIRE model provides a framework to study social media shifting the focus on the distinctive features that might enhance web investor relations. The model highlights these features through four building blocks: (i) firm identity (F); (ii) information posting (I); (iii) reputation (R); and (iv) exchange and diffusion (E). They represent key aspects to explore corporate communication activities and might offer a framework to interpret to what degree corporate web financial reporting exploits the potential of social media. Accordingly, the paper proposes metrics based on this model aimed at capturing the interactivity of corporate communications via social media, with a particular focus on web financial reporting. It tries to show the potential of this model by illustrating an exploratory empirical analysis investigating to what extent companies use social media for financial reporting purposes and whether firms are taking advantage of Twitter distinctive features of interaction and diffusion.

Maqâṣid Al-Qur’ân In The Interpretation of M. Quraish Shihab About The Verse of Social Media Usage

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Johar Arifin ◽  
Ilyas Husti ◽  
Khairunnas Jamal ◽  
Afriadi Putra
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Quality Of Information ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Large Group ◽  
Six Elements ◽  
Written Law ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Universe

This article aims to explain maqâṣid al-Qur’ân according to M. Quraish Shihab and its application in interpreting verses related to the use of social media. The problem that will be answered in this article covers two main issues, namely how the perspective of maqâṣid al-Qur’ân according to M. Quraish Shihab and how it is applied in interpreting the verses of the use of social media. The method used is the thematic method, namely discussing verses based on themes. Fr om this study the authors concluded that according to M. Quraish Shihab there are six elements of a large group of universal goals of the al-Qur’ân, namely strengthening the faith, humans as caliphs, unifying books, law enforcement, callers to the ummah of wasathan, and mastering world civilization. The quality of information lies in the strength of the monotheistic dimension which is the highest peak of the Qur’anic maqâṣid. M. Quraish Shihab offers six diction which can be done by recipients of information in interacting on social media. Thus, it aims to usher in the knowledge and understanding of what is conveyed in carrying out human mission as caliph, enlightenment through oral and written, law enforcement, unifying mankind and the universe to the ummah of wasathan, and mastery of world civilization

The Use of Social Media by the Botswana Government and Governance of Liquid Communication

Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshepho Lydia Mosweu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Customer Service ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Media Content ◽  
Service Access ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
African Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Social media as a communication tool has enabled governments around the world to interact with citizens for customer service, access to information and to direct community involvement needs. The trends around the world show recognition by governments that social media content may constitute records and should be managed accordingly. The literature shows that governments and organisations in other countries, particularly in Europe, have social media policies and strategies to guide the management of social media content, but there is less evidence among African countries. Thus the purpose of this paper is to examine the extent of usage of social media by the Botswana government in order to determine the necessity for the governance of liquid communication. Liquid communication here refers to the type of communication that goes easily back and forth between participants involved through social media. The ARMA principle of availability requires that where there is information governance, an organisation shall maintain its information assets in a manner that ensures their timely, efficient and accurate retrieval. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach where data were collected through documentary reviews and interviews among purposively selected employees of the Botswana government. This study revealed that the Botswana government has been actively using social media platforms to interact with its citizens since 2011 for increased access, usage and awareness of services offered by the government. Nonetheless, the study revealed that the government had no official documentation on the use of social media, and policies and strategies that dealt with the governance of liquid communication. This study recommends the governance of liquid communication to ensure timely, efficient and accurate retrieval when needed for business purposes.

Social Media Use and Students’ Health-Lifestyle Modification in University of Calabar, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Ntongha Eni Ikpi ◽  
Veronica Akwenabuaye Undelikwo
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Lifestyle Modification ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Health Lifestyle ◽  
Use Of Social Media

The use of social media platforms has over the years become a veritable tool for individuals, groups, institutions and corporate bodies for the promotion of health and wellness. In recent times, social media has become one of the most potent agents of the media through which health issues are addressed as well as generated and disseminated to different populations in society. The study was conducted to examine social media use and students’ health lifestyle modification in the University of Calabar, Nigeria. It sought to determine the extent to which students’ use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp) influences the modification of their health-related lifestyles such as eating habits, sexual behaviour, cigarette and alcohol consumption, drug use and the engagement in fitness activities. The study adopted a randomized descriptive survey design and used a sample of 300 undergraduate students. The questionnaire was the main instrument used for collection of data while simple percentages and means were used to determine the difference between the expected mean of 2.50 and the observed means across various items in the questionnaire. The results showed that apart from Twitter, social media use by University of Calabar students has significantly influenced the modification of their health lifestyles. Since social media has become a veritable tool for the promotion of positive health lifestyle, effort should be made by government through the health sector to create more awareness among students and the entire population of social media users, on the health benefits accruing from use of social media.

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