The identification of bots is an important and complicated task. bot classifier "Botometer" was successfully introduced as a way to estimate the number in given list accounts and, consequence, has been frequently used academic publications. Given its relevance for research our understanding presence automated any Twitter discourse, we are interested Botometer's diagnostic ability over time. To do so, collected Botometer scores five datasets (three verified bots, two human; n = 4,134)...

AbstractThe advent of online media, and particularly social has led to scholarly debates about their implications. Authoritarian countries are interesting in this respect because media might facilitate open critical that not possible traditional media. China is arguably the most relevant case respect, it limits influx non-domestic communication, established its own microcosm tries closely monitor control censor problematic content. While such censorship very effective some instances,...

Few studies have assessed whether populations can be divided into segments with different perceptions of science. We provide such an analysis and assess these exhibit specific patterns media information use. Based on representative survey data from Switzerland, we use latent class to reconstruct four segments: the “Sciencephiles,” strong interest for science, extensive knowledge, a pronounced belief in its potential, who variety sources intensively; “Critically Interested,” also support...

In recent years, several instances of political actors who created fake grassroots activity on the Internet have been uncovered. We propose to call such online digital astroturfing, and we define it as a form manufactured, deceptive strategic top-down initiated by that mimics bottom-up autonomous individuals. The goal this paper is lay out conceptual map phenomenon astroturfing in politics. To end, introduce, first, typology according three dimensions (target, actor type, goals), and,...

Abstract The threat of disinformation features strongly in public discourse, but scientific findings remain conflicted about effects and reach. Accordingly, indiscriminate warnings risk overestimating its associated dangers. Balanced accounts that document the presence digital while accounting for empirically established limits offer a promising alternative. In preregistered experiment, U.S. respondents were exposed to two treatments designed resemble typical journalistic contributions...

This study focuses on the formation of far-right online communities YouTube and whether rise three new actors (Pegida, Identitarian movement, AfD) can also be observed with user behavior YouTube. We map network far-right, conspiracy alternative media channels in German-language sphere, how this evolves over time identify topics that users discuss. Our analysis shows overall common denominator within German sphere is refugee crisis problems associated it. Furthermore, we show community...

Online harassment is increasingly applied as a form of information control to curb free speech and exert power in online public spheres. In recent years, states have appeared be particularly invested weaponizing against dissidents an attempt at dominating social political discourses. Reports by prominent human rights institutions, well anecdotal evidence, indicate that Iran remains among the with track record such actions. The scope targeted cyber abuse varies case. This study investigates...

Algorithms and especially recommendation algorithms play an important role online, most notably on YouTube. Yet, little is known about the network communities that these form. We analyzed channel recommendations YouTube to map social creating through its test for homophily, is, connectedness between communities. find YouTube’s algorithm fosters creation of highly homophilous in United States ( n = 13,529 channels) Germany 8,000 channels). Factors seem drive are topics, language, location....

We analyse the use of Twitter in political communication Switzerland because, comparison with other democracies, its strong federalism, fragmented party system, small country size and semi-professional politicians can be seen as least-likely critical case, thus creating unique conditions for social media. The study investigates individual characteristics Swiss Members Parliament that could influence media usage. Thus, contributes to debate about equalization normalization respect a relevant...

The 2016 US election and the victory of Donald Trump are closely connected to a perceived rise far-right in United States. We build upon public sphere alternative media theory discuss relevance for (far-)right whether period candidate allowed establish themselves (far-) right networked sphere. investigate it has come convergence topics between extreme far-right. analyze nine right-wing outlets, ranging from Fox News Neo-Nazi Daily Stormer, covered 2015/2016 during presidential election. show...

Public sphere theory has come to an epistemic crossroads. The rise of right-wing movements in Europe and the U.S., for example, pose a challenge public theorists. This holds especially true since they make use social media articulate their messages, network, recruit, dissent or attack. In this conceptual paper we suggest functionalist approach that integrates concept counterpublics within based on two generalised functions agenda-setting identity formation. We describe how may become regular...

The public sphere was both one of the most popular and debated concepts in political philosophy 20th century. It is few that has attracted attention from a wide range disciplines. Despite already rich intellectual history concept, many scholars still disagree over its proper use definition. purpose this article to review recent research into with co-citation analysis. A citation analysis helps obtain broader view development concept different Such an approach importance because neither fixed...

The identification of bots is an important and complicated task. bot classifier Botometer was successfully introduced as a way to estimate the number in given list accounts and, consequence, has been frequently used academic publications. Given its relevance for research our understanding presence automated any Twitter discourse, we are interested Botometer’s diagnostic ability over time. To do so, collected scores five datasets (three verified bots, two human; n=4,134) languages...

The content moderation practice of deplatforming, i.e. the removal undesired actors, has become common on social media platforms such as YouTube. Little research gone into understanding scope and impact deplatforming. In our study, we are particularly interested in deplatforming far-right channels to understand them. To do so, analyze two datasets: We check whether 11,198 YouTube have been removed 22 months between 2018 2019 for what reason. then focus deplatformed found a new home...

Issues continuously compete for attention in the news media and on social media. Climate change is one of most urgent problems society (re)gained wide public 2019 through global climate strike protest movement. However, we hypothesize that outbreak COVID-19 pandemic early 2020 challenged role as a routine issue. We use extensive Twitter data to explore if how so-called killer issue has shifted away from Switzerland. Results show debate fell victim impact Twitter-sphere. Given vast dominance...

Social media, and Twitter in particular, have become important sources for journalists times of crises. User-generated content (UGC) can provide with on-site information material they otherwise would not access to. But how source verify UGC has yet been systematically analyzed. This study analyzes sourcing verification practices on during the Brussels attacks March 2016. Based quantitative analysis, we identified (1) news organizations attacks, (2) classified different forms requests, (3)...

As social media sites have become significant arenas for political debate in recent years, this paper investigates the that took place on Twitter wake of Swiss referendum Nuclear Withdrawal Initiative, which was conducted November 2016. Using data 3000 users, we could identify 7 distinct communities varied terms their size, position, and contribution to debate. The most dominant were Conservative Mainstream Green-Left communities. Moreover, our findings show supporting opposing initiative...

Many politicians as well journalists are using Twitter regularly and connected on the microblogging platform. We use agenda-building approach conceptual background because political tweets can serve information subsidies if they used by journalists, indicating an influence politicians. It has not yet been systematically investigated which functions of a tweet make it more likely for to be journalist extent journalist’s network plays role in this process. analyze explain their integrate...

Social media expose users to an abundance of information about various issues. But they also make it difficult for assess the quality this information. If do not recognize this, may overestimate their knowledge those Knowledge overestimation lead increased social engagement and can be linked attitudes deeming expert inferior common sense, such as science-related populist attitudes. We investigate during COVID-19 pandemic in two preregistered, cross-sectional survey experiments Germany...

The content moderation practice of deplatforming, i.e., the removal undesired actors, has become common on social media platforms such as YouTube. Our study aims to examine impact deplatforming prominent far-right channels In our study, we are particularly interested in Alex Jones, James Allsup, or Red Ice TV understand them. To do so, analyze two datasets: We check whether 11,198 YouTube have been removed 22 months between 2018 and 2019 for what reason. then focus far right deplatformed...

Almost since the advent of Internet, there has been great interest in analyzing and understanding online communication from perspective public sphere theory. The question whether properties Internet and, specifically, social media actually contribute to is matter ongoing somewhat heated scientific debate. aim article twofold. First, we propose a hierarchical model generalized functions sphere. On theoretical level, interweave different strands thought on sphere, resulting more inclusive less...

Since the early 1990s, there has been a considerable increase in number of scientific studies on science communication, and this accompanied by diversification research field. This study focuses one aspect development: it analyses how citation network structures within field have developed over time, whether communication shows signs becoming or discipline its own right. Employing co-citation analysis scholarly publications published between 1996 2015, assesses to what extent coherent exists...

In modern democracies, large societal crises like the COVID-19 pandemic are accompanied by intensified public discourse about which policies and strategies adequate to fight crisis. such times, sphere switches crisis mode with fundamentally different communicative dynamics compared routinised periods. Data from social media platforms Twitter offers new possibilities study dynamics. However, comprehensive studies on how affect in distinct national publics missing up now. Based 1,762,262...

This article investigates the content and effects of political humor on late-night television. Besides conducting a systematic analysis Swiss show, this examines parody competence evaluations politicians. An experiment manipulated televised politician measured knowledge. Results show that exposure to decreased ratings politicians only for individuals high in The reason is viewers must already have an understanding current affairs "get joke"—that is, implicit message transported by parody....

In times of crisis, the spread conspiracy myths increases since people seek answers to complex questions. Besides societal aspects, social media platforms, especially messenger services, have been identified as a positive driver for spreading myths. Much research focused on whether right-wing populist attitudes correlate with belief in resulting inconsistent findings. We show that different anti-system and corresponding digital usage can promote affinity towards apart from attitudes. With...