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Analyzing Citizen Engagement With European Politics on Social Media

Author

Listed:
  • Pieter de Wilde

    (Department of Sociology and Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway)

  • Astrid Rasch

    (Department of Language and Literature, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway)

  • Michael Bossetta

    (Department of Communication and Media, Lund University, Sweden)

Abstract

Contributions in this thematic issue focus explicitly on citizens and their online engagement with European politics. For social media research in the European Union, citizens remain an understudied actor type in comparison with political elites or news organizations. The reason, we argue, is four key challenges facing social media research in the European Union: legal, ethical, technical, and cultural. To introduce this thematic issue, we outline these four challenges and illustrate how they relate to each contribution. Given that these challenges are unlikely to dissipate, we stress the need for open dialogue about them. A key part of that involves contextualizing research findings within the constraints in which they are produced. Despite these challenges, the contributions showcase that a theoretical and empirical focus on citizens’ social media activity can illuminate key insights into vitally important topics for contemporary Europe. These include civic participation, institutional communication, media consumption, gender inequality, and populism.

Suggested Citation

  • Pieter de Wilde & Astrid Rasch & Michael Bossetta, 2022. "Analyzing Citizen Engagement With European Politics on Social Media," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 90-96.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:poango:v10:y:2022:i:1:p:90-96
    DOI: 10.17645/pag.v10i1.5233
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Hameleers, 2022. "Empowering the People’s Truth Through Social Media? (De)Legitimizing Truth Claims of Populist Politicians and Citizens," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 210-219.
    2. Heidenreich, Tobias & Eisele, Olga & Watanabe, Kohei & Boomgaarden, Hajo G., 2022. "Exploring Engagement With EU News on Facebook: The Influence of Content Characteristics," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 121-132.
    3. Michael Hameleers, 2022. "Empowering the People’s Truth Through Social Media? (De)Legitimizing Truth Claims of Populist Politicians and Citizens," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 210-219.
    4. Anna Bil-Jaruzelska & Cristina Monzer, 2022. "All About Feelings? Emotional Appeals as Drivers of User Engagement With Facebook Posts," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 172-184.
    5. Tobias Heidenreich & Olga Eisele & Kohei Watanabe & Hajo G. Boomgaarden, 2022. "Exploring Engagement With EU News on Facebook: The Influence of Content Characteristics," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 121-132.
    6. Tobias Heidenreich & Olga Eisele & Kohei Watanabe & Hajo G. Boomgaarden, 2022. "Exploring Engagement With EU News on Facebook: The Influence of Content Characteristics," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 121-132.
    7. Helena Seibicke & Asimina Michailidou, 2022. "The Challenges of Reconstructing Citizen-Driven EU Contestation in the Digital Media Sphere," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 97-107.
    8. Anna Bil-Jaruzelska & Cristina Monzer, 2022. "All About Feelings? Emotional Appeals as Drivers of User Engagement With Facebook Posts," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 172-184.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefan Wallaschek & Kavyanjali Kaushik & Monika Verbalyte & Aleksandra Sojka & Giuliana Sorci & Hans-Jörg Trenz & Monika Eigmüller, 2022. "Same Same but Different? Gender Politics and (Trans-)National Value Contestation in Europe on Twitter," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 146-160.
    2. Helena Seibicke & Asimina Michailidou, 2022. "The Challenges of Reconstructing Citizen-Driven EU Contestation in the Digital Media Sphere," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(1), pages 97-107.

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