In this article we propose a concept of network media logic in order to discuss how online social platforms change political communication without resorting technological determinism or normalization. We argue that operate with distinctly different from traditional mass media, though overlapping it. This is leading ways producing content, distributing information and using media. By discussing the differences between terms production, consumption use, carve out central elements – is,...

Social bots mimic and potentially manipulate humans their behaviours in social networks. The public sphere might be especially vulnerable to impacts, which is why we first discuss potential influence on the from a theoretical perspective. From an empirical perspective, analyzed Twitter followers of seven German parties before (N = 638,674) during 838,026) 2017 electoral campaigns regarding bot prevalence activities. results revealed that share increased 7.1% 9.9% election campaigns....

Online communication has become a central part in the repertoires of political actors Western mass democracies. In Switzerland, where broadband, internet use, and media literacy are amongst highest world, all major parties run their own website active on social media. This article seeks to show how Swiss deal with media, they implement it use The study builds empirical data from structural analysis party websites, official Facebook sites, Twitter feeds. These sites were analysed for...

We argue that algorithms are an outcome rather than a replacement of media logics, and ultimately, we advance this argument by connecting human agency to logics. This theoretical contribution builds on the notion technology, particularly non-neutral, arguing for stronger focus goes into designing programming them. reflect limits algorithmic lay out role dimensions elements network logic. The article concludes with addressing questions power, discussing from both meso macro perspectives.

Social bots – partially or fully automated accounts on social media platforms have not only been widely discussed, but also entered political, and research agendas. However, bot detection is an exact science. Quantitative estimates of prevalence vary considerably comparative rare. We show that findings the activity Twitter depend strongly methods used to identify accounts. search for in political discourses Twitter, using three different methods: Botometer, Tweetbotornot “heavy automation”....

Relating to theories of dissonant public spheres and affective publics, we study negativity, dramatization, populist content in political party Facebook posts across 12 countries during the 2014 2019 European Parliament Election campaigns. A quantitative analysis 14,293 from 111 (2014) 116 (2019) parties shows that negative emotion, campaigning, has increased over this time. We show sought evoke more emotions generate engaged included their EP election than 2014. Further, evoking...

We investigate political parties´ social media strategies, their perceived effectiveness, and how campaigns are internally organized. Our study focuses on Austria Switzerland, countries with consociational systems less competitive elections personalization. The paper is based semistructured interviews all parties in Austrian Swiss parliaments after the national 2011 2013, when, for first time, employed campaigns. findings support a skeptical perspective regarding media’s significance effects.

Many liberal democracies have witnessed the rise of radical right parties and movements that threaten values tolerance inclusion. Extremist movement factions may promote inflammatory ideas engage broader publics, but party leaders face dilemmas endorsing content from extremist origins. However, when is shared over larger intermediary networks aligned supporters media sites, it become laundered or disconnected its original sources so can play back as official communication. With a dynamic...

In recent years, local journalism as well social cohesion have faced disruptions and discontinuities. While is challenged by dwindling readership, media concentration, economic crisis, in cities dealing with fragmentation, gentrification, the increasing inflow of migrants. At same time, concepts are interrelated, perceptions belonging, identity, or community heavily mediatized: provide informational backbone what people know about life their city. our study, we operationalize a...

With the advent of digital media and social platforms, speed innovation technology adoption in campaigns have increased tremendously. At same time, campaign environment its rules are constant flow, as platform logics, party operations, voter alignments both reflect create instability many political systems. Additionally, disinformation, foreign interference campaigns, hyper-partisan ecologies, hyperactive users all created changes opinion climates. In light these developments, building on...

Most research on gender and digital communication centers how women use media, they participate online, or are treated in online forums social media. This article, contrast, approaches from a behind the screen perspective. How algorithms platforms created, designed, maintained, affordances provide for users govern ways communicate with each other, has major impact communication. However, it is mostly men who create these technologies. Our study technologies as socio-cultural, departing...

Despite Mexico‟s progress in terms of democratization, the country‟s Broadcasting Law and its practices granting broadcasting licenses still have not adapted to  principles of democratic citizenship. Community radios remain extra-legal operations: their legal status is not regulated and there is no transparent way obtain resources. At same time, prominent actors domains politics media support criminalization of these alternative media. Nonetheless, community organized mobilized for legal...

Abstract Governments and local administrations increasingly use the internet to improve citizens’ participation in deliberation processes. However, research studies have pointed out that outcomes vary due participants’ sociodemographic differences. In this paper, we address debate by quantitatively measuring different participant groups’ quality. By building an index of quality understanding (IQU), analyze 1,991 postings on political issues participants contributed during 2011 Zurich City...

Administrations increasingly use the internet to improve citizens' participation in political processes. While research on online communication and e-democracy is growing, we still have little empirical evidence quality of deliberation This paper focuses an local process, 2011 Zurich City Debate, seeks investigate specific such public communication. By building index a understanding (IQU), authors analyse 1.991 postings that participants contributed five thematic debates issues. Five...

In times of rapid media change, society is increasingly asking for expertise from communication research. Well-founded assessments current developments require knowledge the normative foundations discipline, but empirical analyses normativity research are scarce. We developed an innovative, multistep approach to make discipline's perspectives visible. identified, systemized, and quantified claims consisting three elements: content (what evaluated/should happen?), subject (who responsible?),...

For decades, scholars have been calling out a spatial turn in media and communication studies. Yet, public sphere research, concepts such as space place mainly used metaphorically. In recent years, the abundance of digital trace data offers new opportunities to locate communicative interactions, sparking interest opening up perspectives on spaces places also within research. Digital location enables one to: study which (semi-)public is embedded; uncover geographical inequalities between...