The role of Traditional media and Social media
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The role of Traditional media and Social media
Mustaqim Mohabbat
2125338
POLI 301: Media and Government
Tous Sepehr
The role of traditional media and social media in social and political protests has been a topic
of interest for researchers. Social media has been found to have a significant impact on social
movements, including accelerating recruitment, mobilization, communication, and public
opinion formation. Social media has also been used as a tool for activism, allowing activists,
protestors, and revolutionaries to attract global support for fights against a range of injustices.
Traditional media, on the other hand, has been found to play an influential role in mobilizing
both national and international communities during protests. Social media makes it easier for
activists to connect with one another, forge bonds of solidarity around common grievances,
and identify shared political objectives, which has been shown in research to have a
destabilising political effect in weak authoritarian regimes. Social media use is also strongly
associated with attending protests, as it provides a platform for people to organize and
leverage their collective influence. The new media trends established in political campaigns
have carried over to the realm of government and politics more generally. Social media has
become a pervasive force in politics, altering the communication dynamics between political
leaders, journalists, and the public. Research indicates that people's access to social media
networks has a positive effect on their sense of political efficacy and tendency to participate
in politics.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement has exerted a substantial and extensive influence,
both as a social and political protest. After George Zimmerman was found not guilty in 2013,
a grassroots movement known as BLM was born. It quickly gained traction by making
effective use of the media and social networks.
Traditional media, which includes television, radio, and newspapers, initially served as a
platform to amplify BLM's message. The widespread coverage of BLM protests and events
by traditional media outlets brought the issue to the forefront of national and international
discourse. These platforms provided a structured and comprehensive means of reporting on
the movement, offering in-depth analysis, interviews, and expert opinions. Traditional media
also reached a broad audience, including demographics that may not be as active on social
media platforms. Traditional media played a crucial role in initially bringing the BLM
movement to national and international attention. Through television, radio, and newspapers,
the movement's message reached a broad audience, providing comprehensive coverage,
analysis, and expert opinions. Traditional media outlets helped frame the narrative and set the
agenda for discussions surrounding racial injustice and police brutality.
However, social media has undoubtedly been a game-changer in terms of shaping the public's
perception and transforming the issue. Social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram,
and Facebook, allow BLM activists and supporters to share their messages, videos, and
personal experiences directly with a global audience. The use of hashtags like
#BlackLivesMatter and #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd facilitated the rapid spread of information
and mobilized people to take action. The BLM movement has grown and been delivered in
large part because of the media. As seen, the Facebook post titled "Black Lives count
number" which highlighted the public's fury following the Trayvon Martin judgment, acted as
a spark for mobilization. Since then, BLM has used hashtags, social media, and online
platforms to spread its message and organize protests. The campaign effectively documented
instances of racial injustice and police violence using pictures, films, and live broadcasts,
garnering support from across the world.
Social media also played a pivotal role in documenting instances of police brutality and racial
injustice in real time, often leading to viral videos and sparking outrage. This visual evidence
had a profound emotional impact on viewers and helped generate widespread support for the
BLM movement. Additionally, social media allowed for continuous engagement, enabling
ongoing discussions, protests, and organizing efforts. Before a game in 2016, American
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football player Colin Kaepernick knelt during the playing of the national anthem. He claimed
that he could not bear to display pride in a nation that persecuted black people. Since
George Floyd was killed the anti-racist stance has gained popularity as a protest and sporting
icon. In 2020, it became customary to kneel before sporting events including football games
and Formula 1 races. The impact of social media on this specific protest was so great that
even a sport like Formula 1 took part. Mercedes changed their F1 cars to black to protest
racism and prejudice and to make a commitment to increasing the diversity of their squad.
The Black Lives Matter movement's perception among the general public has been
significantly shaped by the media. It has been essential in bringing racial injustice victims to
public notice, magnifying their voices, and giving them a human face. However, the impact
of the media is not without its complications because concerns about the movement's
legitimacy and commercial objectives have been raised as a result of its mainstreaming. The
media continues to be a potent tool for both advocacy and criticism in the BLM landscape as
it changes, influencing the language and narrative around this crucial social movement.
Corporations and charities began to support BLM as the movement gained popularity.
However, this corporate participation has raised questions about its sincerity and motivations.
Some contend that agencies essentially utilize BLM as a promotional and marketing tool to
boost profits, diminishing the original goals of the motion. Public opinion has been shaped by
media coverage of the business assistance for BLM, with some seeing it as genuine aid and
others seeing it as opportunistic.
Overall, while traditional media initially helped bring the Black Lives Matter movement to
national attention, social media has had a more substantial influence on the public's
perception and transformation of the issue. Social media's ability to connect, mobilize, and
provide real-time documentation of events has made it a powerful tool for advocacy and
social change. However, it's important to note that the two forms of media are not mutually
exclusive; they complement each other in this context, with traditional media providing
context and analysis while social media-fueled grassroots activism and widespread
awareness. A prime example of the influence of social media during the BLM movement is
the viral video of George Floyd's murder, which circulated widely on platforms like Twitter
and Instagram. This video played a pivotal role in galvanizing public outrage and sparking
protests across the United States and beyond. Additionally, the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag
trended globally on Twitter, demonstrating the reach and impact of social media in mobilizing
people for a cause.
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Black Lives Matter |
Definition, movement, goals, history, & influence
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Why movements go viral: Lessons from
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The Role of Social Media in Protests: Mobilising or
Polarising? - 89 Initiative | The first European think-do tank
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