A New Method of Resistance to the Political Power: Social Media

Abstract

Does social media have a voice of authority over the political power? Nowadays, one of the most controversial issues in modern societies is social media. Social media sites used for sharing content such as music and videos, for finding friends, for following current events, have transformed into a tool for struggling with the political power. In other words, virtual entertainment sites have turned into virtual political environments. Especially in developing countries like Turkey, people have recently been using the social media in their endeavours to resist the political power actively. Social media tools such as Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, which were first used for entertainment, games and advertisement, have now turned into political environments where discussions on politics have been formed. Social media can have a role in determining the agenda, and it is even used by political powers in some countries to assess public opinion. This study will examine whether the reactions on social media influence the decisions taken by the political power and the projects to be realized. This study will emphasize how social media discussions on the controversial actions of the political power led to a negative public opinion of the government since 1st January 2013. In sum, whether the social media has a function of controlling the political power will be examined and the influence of social media on politics will be studied.

Save as a Favourite

Author Information
Hulya Akkas, Hitit University, Turkey
Onur Dursun,Hitit University, Turkey
Cansu Alacam, Hitit University, Turkey

• Category: Social Media & Communication Technology

Posted by James Alexander Gordon

All Posts