Impact of Web-Based Communication On Public Attitudes and Political Policy Making

Impact of Web-Based Communication On Public Attitudes and Political Policy Making

The current society has progressed to levels previously not imagined. As it is now, the internet has taken societies to a status that beyond borders. As such, ideas whether political, business, or socially inclined spread to mass audiences instantaneously across the entire globe. The society can be described accurately as web-based. Everything that happens in the world gets its space on the web. Searching for news is no longer a function of flipping newspapers or magazines, but a question of drawing mobile phones and scrolling through different sites, social media sites included. Due to these technological improvements, the propensity of spreading awareness about just any topic has grown tremendously. In return, people often find it in order to express their views be it social or political in an instant.

Citizen journalism, participatory journalism, and direct communications are the premises on which public attitudes and political policy-making are built on. In a study that was conducted by Smith (2011), it was revealed that 54% of those interviewed admitted to finding the internet making it possible for them to link up with other likeminded people on political affairs. 44% agreed that the internet made it a lot easier to voice political opinions. Yang and DeHart (2016) explored student participation in the 2012 elections, and in particular, the psychological and behavioral factors that led to student online participation. Yang and DeHart (2016) found out that the use of Facebook and Twitter was prominent among students. Online civic talks were a predictor of online political participation. People who believed that they were knowledgeable in political terms were found to be motivated to engage in political discussions. The study also found out that social media as a tool for politicking was found to be critical in the building of social capital. 

George Washington University (2014) evaluated the works of Catie Bailard on her assessment of the effect the internet has on people’s perceptions. It was reported that the internet, in 73 countries, was used as a tool for evaluating government performance. As such, such uses of the internet was a precursor of public attitude. People in all manner of countries; developed, developing, and underdeveloped expressed interest in accessing political information and processes, right from campaigns to governance (Bailard, 2014). 

The internet is a tool that actively stirs emotions during times of crisis – either political, social, or economic. Baccini, Sudulich, and Wall (2016) evaluated the role of the internet when it comes to public opinion about the European Union Crisis. The study revealed that those who consumed online news were more prone to blame the EU for their woes as compared to those who did not have access to the internet. Comunello and Anzera (2012) evaluated the relationship between social media and the Arab spring and found out that the revolution was “Tweeted” indicating that the spread of the ideologies relating to the spring was spread through social media. Closer home, it has been alleged that foreign forces were used to manipulate elections by way of using social media in a mud sling. 

In conclusion, it is clear that web-based communication is critical in the setting of public attitudes as well as policymaking. With the entry of social media, it has been easy to influence large groups of people into a certain political ideology. It has been demonstrated that social media has led to deadly confrontations in different parts of the globe and the same influence has been used to tamper with the democracy of America.

Reference

Baccini, L., Sudulich, L., & Wall, M. (2016). Internet Effects in Times of Political Crisis: Online Newsgathering and Attitudes toward the European Union. Public opinion quarterly, 80(2), 411-436.

 Bailard, C. S. (2014). Democracy’s double-edged sword: How Internet use changes citizens’ views of their government. JHU Press.

Comunello, F., & Anzera, G. (2012). Will the revolution be tweeted? A conceptual framework for understanding the social media and the Arab Spring. Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 23(4), 453-470.

George Washington University. (2014). How the Internet Has Changed Democratic Attitudes Throughout the World. Retrieved from https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/how-internet-has-changed-democratic-attitudes-throughout-world

Smith, A. (2011, March). Attitudes towards the internet’s impact on politics. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/03/17/attitudes-towards-the-internets-impact-on-politics/Yang, H. C., & DeHart, J. L. (2016). Social media use and online political participation among college students during the US election 2012. Social Media+ Society, 2(1), 2056305115623802.