scholarly journals Of lizards and ideological entrepreneurs: Alex Jones and Infowars in the relationship between populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-59
Author(s):  
H Van den Bulck ◽  
A Hyzen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Popular Culture ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Media Ecology ◽  
Global Media ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Political Alliances ◽  
The Relationship

This contribution analyses the nexus between contemporary US populist nationalism and the post-global media ecology through the case of US radio show host and ‘most paranoid man in America’ Alex Jones and his Infowars. It evaluates the role of Alt Right alternative/activist media and global digital platforms in the success of Jones as ideological entrepreneur. To this end, it looks at Jones’ and Infowars' message (mostly Falls Flag conspiracy theories and pseudo-science-meets-popular-culture fantasy), persona as celebrity populist spectacle, business model, political alliances with Alt Right and Trump, audience as diverse mix of believers and ironic spectators and, most of all, media. In particular, we analyse the mix of legacy and social media and their respective role in his rise and alleged downfall. We evaluate Jones’ efforts as effective ideological entrepreneur, pushing his counter-hegemonic ideology from the fringes to the mainstream.

scholarly journals Youth and Social-Media: The Adaptation of Dangdut Koplo Song in Islamic Da’wah

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-298
Author(s):  
Nuryani Nuryani ◽  
Darsita Suparno ◽  
Syihaabul Hudaa ◽  
Kundharu Saddhono
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Popular Culture ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cultural Adaptation ◽  
Social Criticism ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Roland Barthes ◽  
Agent Of Change ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this study was to describe the role of youth in adapting dangdut koplo songs to songs that have da’wah value, and the the relationship between popular culture and religion in the adapted songs. Purposively, this qualitative study relied on some lyrics of dangdut koplo songs adapted by the into more religious ones. In analyzing the data, the researcher used the theory of cultural adaptation, social media, and Roland Barthes’ semiotics. The research found out the youth adapted the lyrics from dangdut koplo into religious dangdut by changing the lyrics with the same arrangement. This was done so that people remained familiar with the dangdut music they enjoyed with a touch of religion. The devotional lyrics were characterized by advice, advocating goodness, encouraging people to stay away from evil, loving the prophet more, and social criticism. Regarding the distribution patterns of the adapted songs, there were two dominant media utilized, YouTube channels and Taklim assembly which was usually done by santri and non-santri youth. This showed that in the process of adaptation and dissemination, the adolescents played as an adaptation agent, distribution agent, and agent of change. The study concluded the adapted religious dangdut koplo songs could be an interesting media in the millennial da’wah.

scholarly journals The dangers of blind trust: Examining the interplay among social media news use, misinformation identification, and news trust on conspiracy beliefs

2021 ◽  
pp. 096366252199802
Author(s):  
Xizhu Xiao ◽  
Porismita Borah ◽  
Yan Su
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
News Consumption ◽  
Conspiracy Beliefs ◽  
Moderation Model ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Significant Moderator ◽  
News Use

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation has been circulating on social media and multiple conspiracy theories have since become quite popular. We conducted a U.S. national survey for three main purposes. First, we aim to examine the association between social media news consumption and conspiracy beliefs specific to COVID-19 and general conspiracy beliefs. Second, we investigate the influence of an important moderator, social media news trust, that has been overlooked in prior studies. Third, we further propose a moderated moderation model by including misinformation identification. Our findings show that social media news use was associated with higher conspiracy beliefs, and trust in social media news was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between social media news use and conspiracy beliefs. Moreover, our findings show that misinformation identification moderated the relationship between social media news use and trust. Implications are discussed.

Study of Consumer Brand Following Intention on Instagram

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-51
Author(s):  
Simran Kaur Madan ◽  
Payal S. Kapoor
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Consumer Motivation ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Consumer Skepticism ◽  
Consumption Decisions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The research, based on uses and gratifications theory, identifies consumer motivation and factors that influence consumers' intention to follow brands on the social media platform of Instagram. Accordingly, this study empirically examines the role of need for self-enhancement, the need for entertainment, and deal-seeking behaviour on the intention to follow brands on Instagram. Further, the study investigates the mediation of social media usage behaviour for consumption decisions on eliciting brand following behaviour. Moderation of consumer skepticism on the relationship of deal-seeking behaviour, and intention to follow brands is also investigated. Findings reveal a significant direct effect of need for self-enhancement, need for entertainment, and deal-seeking behaviour on intention to follow brands. Indirect effect of social media usage behaviour for consumption decisions was also significant; however, moderation of consumer skepticism was not found to be significant. The study will help marketers create engaging content that enables consumer-brand interactions.

Brand and influencer strategies in social media marketing of luxury brands in African cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehita Iqani
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
African Cities ◽  
Global Brands ◽  
Global Brand ◽  
Critical Theories ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Depth Interviews

This article explores the role of social media promotions in the marketing of luxury, from the perspectives of both representatives of global brands and the local influencers contracted to promote them online. It provides insights into role of social media in marketing luxury in ‘new’ markets (African cities) and the complexities attendant to the relationship between brand representatives and influencers. It reports on in-depth interviews with brand representatives and social media influencers working in the luxury sector in large anglophone African cities. Empirical findings show the role of social media in how luxury is promoted by those working in the industry. Three key complexities to do with value, trust and authenticity were evident in how global brand representatives and local influencers discussed social media. In terms of value, influencers emphasize strategies for monetizing visibility, while brand managers emphasize the need to get their money’s worth. Regarding trust, influencers express caution about brands trying to exploit them, while brands express scepticism about the extent of influencer’s abilities. On the topic of authenticity, influencers emphasize how the integrity of their personal brands is paramount, while brand representatives are mostly concerned with how genuine the social media posts seem. The article provides original empirical details about the relationships between brand managers and social media influencers, as well as to the nuances of social media luxury marketing in African cities. It contributes to critical theories of branding practice in media economies of the global south.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as an “Infodemic” in Public Health: Critical Role of the Social Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debanjan Banerjee ◽  
K. S. Meena
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
The Impact

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a significant and global public health crisis. Besides the rising number of cases and fatalities, the outbreak has also affected economies, employment and policies alike. As billions are being isolated at their homes to contain the infection, the uncertainty gives rise to mass hysteria and panic. Amidst this, there has been a hidden epidemic of “information” that makes COVID-19 stand out as a “digital infodemic” from the earlier outbreaks. Repeated and detailed content about the virus, geographical statistics, and multiple sources of information can all lead to chronic stress and confusion at times of crisis. Added to this is the plethora of misinformation, rumor and conspiracy theories circulating every day. With increased digitalization, media penetration has increased with a more significant number of people aiding in the “information pollution.” In this article, we glance at the unique evolution of COVID-19 as an “infodemic” in the hands of social media and the impact it had on its spread and public reaction. We then look at the ways forward in which the role of social media (as well as other digital platforms) can be integrated into social and public health, for a better symbiosis, “digital balance” and pandemic preparedness for the ongoing crisis and the future.

The Role of Social Media in Adolescent Loneliness and Mental Health Problems: Current Evidence and Suggestions for Future Work

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Warner Myntti ◽  
Jensen Spicer ◽  
Carol Janney ◽  
Stacey Armstrong ◽  
Sarah Domoff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
The Social ◽  
Future Work ◽  
The Relationship

Adolescents are spending more time interacting with peers online than in person, evidencing the need to examine this shift’s implications for adolescent loneliness and mental health. The current review examines research documenting an association between social media use and mental health, and highlights several specific areas that should be further explored as mechanisms within this relationship. Overall, it appears that frequency of social media use, the kind of social media use, the social environment, the platform used, and the potential for adverse events are especially important in understanding the relationship between social media use and adolescent mental health.

The Role of Social Media Strategies in Competitive Banking Operations Worldwide

2014 ◽  
pp. 304-340
Author(s):  
Nurdan Oncel Taskiran ◽  
Recep Yilmaz ◽  
Nursel Bolat
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Concept Development ◽  
Economic Capital ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Banking Operations

Social media has rapidly taken its place among the important phenomenons of today. It has an important role in institutionalization and companies’ financial effectivness in many fields. This chapter discusses concept, development of social media, investigations about social media in different continents, its relation with institutionalization, and its role in the banking sector in the process of globalisation. In this study, social media strategies of a global bank on different continents are empirically analysed. Obtained data sheds light on the relationship between the social and economic capital in today’s world in an interdisciplinary platform.

The Role of Social Media Strategies in Competitive Banking Operations Worldwide

2015 ◽  
pp. 180-217
Author(s):  
Nurdan Oncel Taskiran ◽  
Recep Yilmaz ◽  
Nursel Bolat
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Concept Development ◽  
Economic Capital ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Banking Operations

Social media has rapidly taken its place among the important phenomenons of today. It has an important role in institutionalization and companies' financial effectivness in many fields. This chapter discusses concept, development of social media, investigations about social media in different continents, its relation with institutionalization, and its role in the banking sector in the process of globalisation. In this study, social media strategies of a global bank on different continents are empirically analysed. Obtained data sheds light on the relationship between the social and economic capital in today's world in an interdisciplinary platform.

Social Media and Identity

2019 ◽  
pp. 1365-1386
Author(s):  
Erika Melonashi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Identity Formation ◽  
Political Identity ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Media And Identity

The present chapter aims to explore the relationship between social media and identity by reviewing theoretical frameworks as well as empirical studies on the topic. Considering the complexity of the concept of identity, a multidisciplinary theoretical approach is provided, including Psychological Theories, Sociological Theories and Communication Theories. These theories are revisited in the context of online identity formation and communication through social media. Different aspects of identity such as gender identity, professional identity, political identity etc., are discussed and illustrated through empirical studies in the field. Moreover, the role of social media as a factor that might either promote or hinder identity development is also discussed (e.g., phenomena such as cyber-bulling and internet addiction). Finally recommendations and suggestions for future research are provided, including the need for multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to the investigation of the relationships between social media and identity.

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