Social Media And Civic Discourse Among Students Of The University Of Ghana
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Date
2013-07-31
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University of Ghana
Abstract
In many advanced democracies, the impacts of new media technologies are well
documented. Literature on these modern age phenomena provides an understanding of the
several dimensions to how these technologies are influencing such societies. The
evidences of Internet and social media use, reflected in findings from western societies,
show that these new media tools have both positive and negative impacts notably towards
facilitating political communication and civic engagements. On the other hand, while
access to and uses of the Internet along with its adjunct tools grow in Ghana, academic
literature supporting these occurrences are in an emerging phase. As is the case of the
western societies, it is necessary to understand the nature of use of the Internet generally
and social media in particular since its use is gaining ground in private and corporate
spheres.
This qualitative study explored social media use among students of the University of
Ghana for political communication relying on the Social Capital and Deliberative theories
to explain what was found. Findings were reached following observation and
interpretation of the posts and interactions gathered from a Facebook group page created
by a group of graduate students at the University. The study also gathered secondary data
from a previous study, which identified uses of Facebook by students of the University of
Ghana. The findings suggest that social media may be fostering civic and political
discourses and gives indications that these are possibly occurring because of the bond of
friendship created among the participants in the group. Also the findings suggest that the
group members, in the few instances of civic discourses occurring, engaged in
deliberation.
The recommendation for further studies that go beyond exploring what may be happening
in online social media groups is encouraged, particularly because such studies will
provide deeper knowledge and understanding of the phenomenon.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)
Keywords
Social Media, Civic Discourse, Students, University Of Ghana, Legon, Accra