Social and mainstream media play a central role in the production, dissemination, and exchange of political content. Numerous research studies document how the media influence public opinions and drive political narratives (Hoffman, 2013; Graef et al., 2018; McLaughlin & Velez, 2019). The U.S. 2016 presidential election sparked greater attention to the role of the media on political campaigns and political outcomes (McLaughlin & Velez, 2019). Many people in the U.S. and other parts of the world utilize social and mainstream media, which includes radio and TV programs and Social Networking Sites (SNSs), for information and communication. As such, mainstream media or SNSs have become an integral part of the political lives of the public or citizens.
Collectively, social and mainstream media have also constituted a number of platforms that the public can utilize to coordinate, as well as mobilize “among-like minded” individuals (Gil & Chen, 2019, 365). However, while providing the public with broadcasts and mobilizing information, social and mainstream media also facilitate social-political factors that raise concerns over the sharing or distribution of misinformation (Gil & Chen, 2019). In addition, the mainstream media and SNSs facilitates political divides and political polarization.
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A decade ago, Americans had very little confidence in TV news (Hoffman, 2013). Thus, at the time, the media played very little role in informing and engaging citizenry, particularly on matters relating to politics. According to a study conducted by Hoffman (2013), in 2012, only a few programs influenced an individual’s perception of political views. Today, many people rely on social media for information and communication. As such, it plays a crucial role in politics due to its influence in shaping political campaigns and social protests. According to a study conducted by McLaughlin & Velez (2019), when an individual becomes engrossed in the political narrative constructed by a political candidate, the individual is highly likely to see the political world as personally relevant. As a result, the individual is highly likely to become more committed to supporting that politician.
Numerous other research studies document how social and mainstream media distribute informative and mobilizing messages to influence public opinion and drive the political narrative. In recent years, the media has started to use current events to further political narratives rather than inform the public. For example, in the midst of ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the media outlets are disseminating divisive information, particularly on President Donald Trump (Fox News, 2020). This capstone project will delve into investigating how social and mainstream media use current events to further political narratives rather than inform the public. I chose this topic because of the increasing influence of social and mainstream media on political campaigns and outcomes.
Research Problem
The dissemination and exchange of misinformation on social media have caused widespread alarm in the past few years. This is particularly true during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, where the public was exposed to false political content. From Donald’s Trump’s very active use of social networking platforms (SNSs), particularly twitter, to concerns over the dissemination of false political content on social media and the use of Facebook ads by Russian interests, the use of social media to further political narratives need a better understanding (Curry, 2018). Evidence suggests that the dissemination of misinformation had a significant influence on the outcome of the 2016 election (Guess et al., 2018; McLaughlin & Velez, 2019).
The growing increase in the use of social media has come with its own implications. The growth of the internet has fundamentally changed how information is consumed (Mccorjle-Akanbi, 2019). Already, significant issues and questions have surfaced pertaining to the ways SNSs are influencing the political process in the U.S. In addition, it remains unclear how social media further political narratives rather than inform the public.
This capstone project seeks to investigate how social media uses current events to further political narratives rather than inform the public. Currently, there is limited research on the role of social media in fostering social-political narratives. The findings of this study will be valuable not only to the growing academic literature about the influence of social media but also for media industry professionals. This is because the findings of this study will help them develop a course of action, such as algorithmic and policy changes, to increase media trust among the public.
Problem Statement
The advent of the Internet has generated a lot of concerns about how social media is impacting the political sphere. A number of researchers have addressed the multiple relationships that exist between social media and politics from different perspectives. Most of the studies document that social media is being used to further political narratives. More specifically, social media is being used to connect with the public in order to propagate political views, disseminate information, and engage in political discussions, among other issues. Social media has changed the political landscape. In addition, social media has sparked broad democratization of information faster than the mainstream media.
A number of research studies document how various political figures, particularly presidents, have used social media to further their political agenda or connect with their followers and other common people (Bimber, 2014; Kreiss, 2016; Bing; 2015). According to a study conducted by Bimber (2014), former U.S. President Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election with his intelligent use of social media, particularly twitter. Obama used Twitter to connect with the public. Also, during his 2012 presidential campaign, Obama had a much greater ability to engage his followers and the general public. More specifically, through the use of social media, Obama had the ability to respond to unfolding commentary around political events. According to Kreiss (2014), his ability to respond to political events in real-time facilitated his victory.
Social media has become so critical to the extent that people have the ability to respond to events in real-time. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook (FB), had to issue a statement to clarify that Facebook was not involved in the 2016 U.S. presidential election in which President Donald Trump won the elections. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenya’s 2013 general elections are glowing examples of events in which social media was used to shape political landscapes and narratives (Bing, 2015). Despite being an emerging platform for communication, many researchers have started their work and are investigating the relationship between social media and politics. However, there is limited research on how social media uses current events to further political narratives. The present study investigates how social media uses current events to further political narratives rather than inform the public.
Literature Review: Resource Synthesis
Search Strategy
A comprehensive search strategy was developed for a number of databases and search engines, including Google Scholar. The CASP checklist was used to test the validity and credibility of the sources. This tool helps ensure that only valid and credible research articles are used for the literature review. The literature search was also restricted to research studies developed within the last six years. Literature preceding 2014 was ignored. During the literature search, keywords were selected carefully. The primary keywords that were used during the literature search were “social media,” “social networking sites (SNSs),” “political events,” and “political narratives.” The word “social media” and “social networking sites” or “SNSs” were used interchangeably so as not to miss out on literature that used the word social networking sites or SNSs. In addition, Boolean operators “AND” and “OR” were used interchangeably during the literature search. The use of these two Boolean operators depended on the need to expand or narrow down the search area. The strategies mentioned above helped locate valid and credible resources.
Issues Raised by Literature
Before delving into reviewing how social media use current events to further political narratives, it is vital to establish a theoretical framework to explain the bindings and workings of social systems. One theory that can be used to explain the bindings and working of social systems is the structuration theory. Anthony Giddens created this theory in 1984 (Housh, 2018). This theory holds that societal structure is a set of codes of behaviour and knowledge. According to Giddens, these codes of behaviour and knowledge influence the behaviour of a person or collectives (Housh, 2018). According to the structuration theory, social action is the product of social resources. This theory applies well to the study of social media, dissemination of fake news, and political narratives. Social actions, which include how social networking sites (SNSs) are utilized, affect the societal structure as well as how power is utilized.
The advent of technology led to the development of SNSs. These SNSs created a new paradigm in the way individuals absorb and disseminate information or share news. SNSs, which include Facebook and Twitter, allow people to access, generate, share and interact with news or other information available online in real-time (Housh, 2018). Over the last few years, SNSs have emerged as change agents, networking for facilitating political campaigns or networks for promoting political participation. Social media is a vital tool. It widely used nowadays to create social change. This is because of its large user base. With its large user base coupled with high integration, social media can have a significant impact on society. It can be a hazardous forum due to the fact that it can be used to disseminate misinformation or fake news to further political narratives and cause social discord (Housh, 2018).
The term “fake news” entered the public consciousness in recent years. More specifically, it emerged in 2016 during the U.S. presidential election. In 2016, social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, was used to disseminate fake news to further political narratives. People disseminate fake news or misinformation for several reasons, such as to deceive people, for profit, and to show discontent. From a political perspective, people, especially politicians and their followers, disseminate misinformation to further political narrative or show alternative political opinions.
Spread of fake news or misinformation over SNSs, particularly Facebook and Twitter, has been well documented (Curry, 2018; Kreiss, 2016). Many studies stress that if it were not for the use of social media, especially Facebook, to create and share fake news, the results of the 2016 U.S. elections would have been different. This is because during the campaign politicians used social media to create and share fake news stories (Curry, 2018; Kreiss, 2016). Stories coming from traditional and professional journalism were not widely shared. According to Allcott and Gentzkow (2017), most of the misinformation that was created and shared on social media favoured Donald Trump over his opponents, especially Hillary Clinton.
Due to a lack of media gatekeeping, people create and share fake news or disseminate misinformation. This can have a significant effect on society. Fake news and misinformation instil netizens with inaccurate beliefs and events (Levendusky & Malhotra, 2016). According to Levendusky & Malhotra (2016), over time, these inaccurate beliefs are polarized and cemented. This lessens the chance of finding the ability to participate in political dialogue. As such, politicians can use this opportunity of using social media to disseminate misinformation or fake news to further political narratives.
Political participation of netizens on social media is robust during elections. During the political campaign, politicians often use social media to connect with the public ( Gil de Zúñiga & Chen, 2019) . In addition, politicians use social media during elections to keep their followers on social media updated not only about their agenda but also about their political activities. McLaughlin & Velez (2019) conducted a study to determine how politicians use social media to further political narratives during political campaigns. The researcher found that posts that promote a certain politician or political affiliation often increases the chances of the political party or individual winning an election. This is because it increases a party’s or an individual’s political participation.
Barrack Obama utilized social media during his political campaign in 2012 (Bimber, 2014). According to Bimber (2014), Barrack Obama used SNSs, particularly Facebook, to promote his political campaign. Using Facebook, Obama conducted an online political campaign to highlight his personality. This strategy helped him win the elections. This is because it motivated his followers to act. From this study, it is evident that politicians use social media during political campaigns to further their political narratives.
In addition to political campaigns, there are several other events that politicians are using to further their political narrative on social media. The most recent one is the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many politicians are using the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to solely promote their views or further their political narratives as well as attack their oppositions. President Trump stands at the epicentre of the ongoing political haranguing. The twitter world erupted following President Trump’s handling of Covid-19. Governments are using the pandemic to wage propaganda wars. More specifically, governments, media, and netizens are using the disease to spread conspiracy theories and attack their government or other government on social media.
In addition to political campaigns and Covid-19, politicians are also using the “Black Lives Matter” movement to further their political narratives on social media (Housh, 2018). In recent years, there have been protests in the United States due to the mistreatments of African Americans by law enforcement officers. Over the last few months, Americans held protests following the killing of George Floyd, an African American, in police custody. “Black Lives Matter” movement is a movement that stands against white supremacy. According to Housh (2018), this movement is vocal of aggressions committed against persons of color. Some politicians use this movement to further their political narratives on social media. The politicians use SNSs, especially Twitter and Facebook, to infuriate and inflame conservative audiences (Housh, 2018). From the literature synthesis, it is evident that politicians use current events to further their political narratives on social media.
Summary of Literature
This paper reviewed how netizens use current events to further political narratives. The structuration theory developed by Giddens was used to establish the theoretical framework for this capstone project. The structuration theory holds that social actions, which include how social networking sites (SNSs) are utilized, affect the societal structure as well as how power is utilized. Research studies document that politicians use current events to further their political narratives on social media. These events include political campaigns, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Literature Review Matrix Template
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References (complete APA format): |
Peer-reviewed? Yes or No |
What are the main ideas or themes from this article? |
How do these main themes relate to your Capstone problem? |
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| 1. Lewis, I., & Suchan, J. (2003). Structuration theory: its potential impact on logistics research. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management . | Yes | This article introduces the structuration theory as a useful theoretical framework to explain the bindings and working of social systems. | The theoretical framework outlined in this article seems to apply to the study of social media and the dissemination of fake news. |
| 2. Kamau, S. C. (2017). Democratic engagement in the digital age: youth, social media, and participatory politics in Kenya. Communicatio , 43 (2), 128-146. | Yes | This article examines the relationship between social media use and political engagement. According to the article, social media has the capacity to shape opinions and influence political preferences. | The themes presented in this article relate to the Capstone project because they explore one of the areas covered in the Capstone project, which is the use of social media to further political narratives. The findings or themes presented in this article will help me support my claims or arguments in the Capstone project |
| 3. Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of economic perspectives , 31 (2), 211-36. | Yes | This article offers a theoretical and empirical background to the use of social media to further political narratives. More specifically, the article discusses how the use of social media influenced the political outcomes of the 2016 U.S. presidential outcomes. | The themes presented in this article relate to my Capstone project because it discusses how social media use current events to further political narratives. This is the main focus of the Capstone project. |
| 4. Rashed, K. A. N., Renzel, D., Klamma, R., & Jarke, M. (2014). Community and trust-aware fake media detection. Multimedia tools and applications , 70 (2), 1069-1098. | Yes | This article acknowledges the use of social media to disseminate fake news. The researchers developed a trust aware community approach to facilitate fake media detection. | The themes presented in this article relate to my Capstone project because it covers the issue of using social media to further political narratives. |
| 5. Levendusky, M., & Malhotra, N. (2016). Does media coverage of partisan polarization affect political attitudes?. Political Communication , 33 (2), 283-301. | Yes | This article investigates if media coverage of political polarization affects political attitudes. The study found that media coverage of polarization increases citizen’s dislike of the opposing party. | The themes presented in this article relate to my Capstone project because they address political polarization, which is one of the areas covered in the Capstone project. |
| 6. Housh, A. M. (2018). Fake News, Political Narrative, & Social Media: A Structuration Approach. | Yes | This study unveils the relationships between the dissemination of fake news, readership demand, and social media networks (SNSs). | The themes presented in this article relate to the Capstone project because it covers one of the areas presented in the Capstone project, which is the use of SNSs to further political narratives. |
| 7. Bimber, B. (2014). Digital media in the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012: Adaptation to the personalized political communication environment. Journal of information technology & politics , 11 (2), 130-150. | Yes | This article examines the role of SNSs in the campaigns of Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. The article focuses on two themes, namely, personalized political communication and the communication of digital media as tools. | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address the main research topic of the Capstone project, which is how social media uses current events to further political narratives. |
| 8. Bing, N. (2015). Kenya decides Kiswahili, social media, and politics in Kenya’s 2013 general elections. Journal of African Media Studies , 7 (2), 165-183. | Yes | This article gives an insight into evolving digital practices of political communication. The themes presented in this article is the use of SNSs in political campaigns. | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address the main research topic of the Capstone project |
| 9. Kreiss, D. (2016). Seizing the moment: The presidential campaigns’ use of Twitter during the 2012 electoral cycle. New media & society , 18 (8), 1473-1490. | Yes | This article investigates how staffers from the 2012 Obama and Romney presidential campaigns used Twitter to appeal to strong supporters. | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they cover to address the main focus of the Capstone project |
| 10. Curry, K. E. (2018). Politics in the Social Media Era: the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Political Participation During the 2016 United States Presidential Election. | Yes | The themes presented in this article include the relationship between an individual’s SNSs use and voter turnout. | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address one of the issues addressed in the project, which is the influence of SNSs on political outcomes. |
| 11. McLaughlin, B., & Velez, J. A. (2019). Imagined politics: How different media platforms transport citizens into political narratives. Social Science Computer Review , 37 (1), 22-37. | Yes | The main theme in this article is political transportation. The article explores how SNSs transport citizens into political narratives | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address one of the issues covered in the project –the use of social media to further political narratives |
| 12. Gil de Zúñiga, H., & Chen, H. T. (2019). Digital Media and Politics: Effects of the Great Information and Communication Divides. | Yes | The main themes covered in this article include: Mobilization and political behavior, misinformation, and information divide and political polarization | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address the main research topic of the project |
| 13. Graef, J., Da Silva, R., & Lemay-Hebert, N. (2020). Narrative, political violence, and social change. | Yes | The main theme addressed in this article is the link between SNSs and narrative, political violence, and social change. | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because they address one of the areas covered in the project, which is the use of social media to further political narratives. |
| 14. Hoffman, L. (2013). Breaking boundaries| Political interviews: Examining perceived media bias and effects across TV entertainment formats. International Journal of Communication , 7 , 18. | Yes | The theme addressed in this article include the effects of TV format on perceptions, | The themes presented in this study relate to the Capstone project because it addresses one of the areas covered in the project |
Causes and Effects of a Research Problem –Organizational Matrix
Research Problem
The increase in the use of the Internet and social media has come with its own implications. However, it remains unclear how social media further political narratives rather than informing the public. This capstone project sought to examine how social media use current events to further political narratives rather than inform the public.
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Cause #1: Political campaigns Political campaigns are one of the factors causing an increase in the use of social media to disseminate misinformation in other to further political narratives. During political campaigns, politicians use social media to disseminate misinformation in order to further their political narratives or show alternative political opinions (Curry, 2018). The misinformation created on social media tends to favor some political candidates over others. |
Effect #1: Influence Political Outcomes The use of social media during political campaign significantly affect political outcomes. The use of social media during political campaigns not only helps politicians connect with the public, but it also helps them deceive people, show discontent, and show alternative political opinions. Given that political participation of netizens is robust during political campaigns, this can significantly affect political outcomes. According to Kreiss (2018), the results of the 2016 U.S. elections would have been different if it were not for the use of social media to create and share fake news. In addition, Barrack Obama utilized social media during his political campaigns, a strategy which helped him win the elections (Bimber, 2014). |
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Reference Information for Cause #1: Curry, K. E. (2018). Politics in the Social Media Era: the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Political Participation During the 2016 United States Presidential Election. |
Reference Information for Effect #1: Bimber, B. (2014). Digital media in the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012: Adaptation to the personalized political communication environment. Journal of information technology & politics , 11 (2), 130-150. Kreiss, D. (2016). Seizing the moment: The presidential campaigns’ use of Twitter during the 2012 electoral cycle. New media & society , 18 (8), 1473-1490. |
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Cause #2: The Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is another factor causing the increase in the use of social media to disseminate misinformation in other to further political narratives. Politicians are using the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to not only further their political narratives but also to attack their opponents (Okolla, 2020). A prime example is President Donald Trump, who is currently at the epicenter of the ongoing political haranguing caused by Covid-19. Netizens are highly criticizing how President Trump is handling Covid-19. |
Effect #2: Political Wars, Propaganda Wars, and Conspiracy Theories Politicians are using the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to attack their oppositions, creating political wars. In addition, the pandemic has led to propaganda wars and conspiracy theories, which are a result of the fake news created and disseminated on social media (DiResta, 2020). More specifically, the government is using to the Covid-19 pandemic to wage propaganda wars. A prime example is a war between the United States and China, with the U.S. president labeling the coronavirus as “Chinese Virus” (DiResta, 2020). |
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Reference Information for Cause #2: Okolla, D. (2020). The Corona cold war: the battle of media narratives. https://www.theelephant.info/features/2020/04/11/the-corona-cold-war-the-battle-of-media-narratives/ |
Reference Information for Effect #2: DiResta, R. (2020). For China, the ‘USA Virus’ is a geopolitical ploy. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/chinas-covid-19-conspiracy-theories/609772/ |
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Cause #3: The Black Lives Matter movement The Black Lives Matter movement is another factor causing an increase in the use of social media to further political narratives. “Black Lives Matter” movement is a movement that stands against white supremacy. However, some politicians are using this movement to further their political narratives. In fact, they are using to infuriate and inflame conservative audiences (Housh, 2018). |
Effect #3: Escalation of War against Conservative Audiences The Black Lives Matter movement has escalated the war against conservative audiences. In addition to using this movement to further their political narrative, politicians and netizens are using this movement to infuriate and inflame conservative audiences (Housh, 2018). This has escalated the war against this group. |
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Reference Information for Cause #3: Housh, A. M. (2018). Fake News, Political Narrative, & Social Media: A Structuration Approach. |
Reference Information for Effect #3: Housh, A. M. (2018). Fake News, Political Narrative, & Social Media: A Structuration Approach. |
This paper outlined the causes and effects of the research problem outlined in the capstone project. The causes and effects relate to the research problem outlined in the capstone project in the sense they outline the way social media is being used to further political narratives. However, some of the causes outlined in this paper could be prevented. For instance, coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement can be prevented. To prevent the use of the Covid-19 pandemic to disseminate fake news or further political narratives, governments should put measures in place to stop the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories on social media. This would help stop the negative effects that result from this.
With regard to the Black Lives Matter movement, there is a need to stop racial segregation and oppression of people of color. Out of all the three problems that have been identified, the use of political campaigns to further political narratives on social media is the leading problem. This is because politicians use this event to a great extent to further their political narratives.
Reaction to the Findings and Opinion on whether the Causes could have been prevented
This assignment outlined the causes and effects of the research problem to be outlined in my capstone project. The causes and effects relate to the research problem outlined in the capstone project in the sense they outline the way social media is being used to further political narratives. However, some of the causes outlined in this paper could be prevented. For instance, coronavirus pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement can be prevented. To prevent the use of the Covid-19 pandemic to disseminate fake news or further political narratives, governments should put measures in place to stop the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories on social media. This would help stop the negative effects that result from this.
With regard to the Black Lives Matter movement, there is a need to stop racial segregation and oppression of people of color. Out of all the three problems that have been identified, the use of political campaigns to further political narratives on social media is the leading problem. This is because politicians use this event to a great extent to further their political narratives.
Problem Solution
In the organizational matrix, three factors were identified that contribute to the use of social media to spread fake news or misinformation in order to further political narratives. These factors include political campaigns, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and the Black Lives Matter movement. The effects of these factors were also discussed. These factors influence political outcomes, fuel political wars, propaganda wars and conspiracy theories regarding Covid-19, and escalate the war against conservative audiences, respectively. As such, there is a need to address the issue of misusing social media during these events. This paper will delve into discussing the potential solutions to these problems and the positive change associated with each proposed solution.
With regard to the use of social media to spread fake news or misinformation during political campaigns, technology firms and/or providers of social media platforms ought to invest in technology to find fake news and identify it for users through algorithms and crowdsourcing (West, 2017; Pennycook & Rand, 2019). Algorithms are powerful vehicles that can help with automatic hoax detection. Through this, users or netizens can be alerted or warned about contentious content. This potential solution will educate readers regarding contentious contents without censoring the fake news.
With regard to the use of social media during pandemics and social movements to spread fake news, there is a need to strengthen online accountability (West, 2017). This can be achieved in a number of ways, such as through stronger real-name policies and enforcement against fake accounts (West, 2017). This will make it easier to hold individuals accountable for disseminating fake news. The social change associated with this potential solution is that it will stop people from hiding behind fake names when disseminating fake news or engaging in prohibited activities on social media.
Another potential solution is to fund efforts to enhance news literacy. This will help individuals learn how to evaluate news sources (Funke & Flamini, 2018). The positive social associated with this potential solution is that it will help people become better consumers of online information. This is very crucial in the current digital era.
Realistic Solution
In the previous assignment, three potential solutions that can be used to combat the use of social media to disseminate fake news and misinformation were identified. These solutions include investing in technologies that can find fake news and identify it for users through algorithms and crowdsourcing, implementing stronger real-name policies and enforcement against fake accounts, and funding efforts to improve news literacy. These solutions differ in many aspects, such as ease of implementation and the degree of being realistic. Some are more realistic and easy to implement, while others are less realistic and hard to implement.
This paper will focus on one of the potential solutions –funding efforts to improve news literacy. This potential is more realistic or highly likely to succeed. More specifically, the paper will explore this potential solution and discuss how it can be implemented along with the potential challenges and advantages associated with the implementation of this solution. The paper will also discuss who will be impacted once this solution is implemented and the positive change that could result.
To combat the use of social media to disseminate fake news and misinformation, funding efforts to enhance news literacy should be a high priority for educational institutions, government agencies, corporations and other organizations (West, 2017). Less literate and individuals going online for the first time are highly susceptible to consuming fakes news and disinformation. This is because this kind of individuals cannot distinguish false from real news (Brites & Pinto, 2017). They accept at face value every news information or social media post they see on social networking sites (SNSs) or digital news sites. In this regard, there is a need to educate them on how to evaluate news sources or social media posts. This will help them become better consumers of online information. As such, governments should fund efforts to enhance news literacy.
To implement this solution, governments should provide funds to support partnerships between journalists, corporations, educational institutions and other organizations to encourage news literacy (West, 2017). These organizations should educate their stakeholders and the general public on how to use social media, how to distinguish false from real news, and how to evaluate news sources, among other related issues. Through this, these organizations and educational institutions will help their stakeholders and the public become better consumers of online information. This is very vital considering that the world is moving towards digital immersion.
One of the main challenges associated with the implementation of this proposed solution is getting the funding as well as the attention for more media literacy programs (Buger & Davison, 2018). In addition, a wide range of literature suggests that some media or news literacy efforts have a little-to-no impact on certain materials. These challenges will limit the potential of media literacy initiatives. On the positive side, once this proposed solution is implemented it will result in the following advantages: it will help the public distinguish false from real news, evaluate news sources, and not accept at face value every news information or social media they seen of SNSs or digital news sites (West, 2017). In short, this proposed solution will help netizens become better consumers of online information. The positive social change associated with this proposed solution is that it will change the way people consume online information. People will stop relying on fake social media posts or disinformation as they will be able to differential fake from real news. In this regard, netizens will become better consumers of online information. This is very crucial in the current digital era.
References
Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social media and fake news in the 2016 election. Journal of economic perspectives , 31 (2), 211-36.
Bimber, B. (2014). Digital media in the Obama campaigns of 2008 and 2012: Adaptation to the personalized political communication environment. Journal of information technology & politics , 11 (2), 130-150.
Bing, N. (2015). Kenya decides: Kiswahili, social media, and politics in Kenya’s 2013 general elections. Journal of African Media Studies , 7 (2), 165-183.
Brites, M. J., & Pinto, M. (2017). Is there a role for the news industry in improving news literacy? Media Education Research Journal, 7 (2); 29-47.
Bulger, M., & Davison, P. (2018). The promises, challenges, and futures of media literacy. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 10 (1), 1-20.
Curry, K. E. (2018). Politics in the Social Media Era: the Relationship Between Social Media Use and Political Participation During the 2016 United States Presidential Election.
DiResta, R. (2020). For China, the ‘USA Virus’ is a geopolitical ploy. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/04/chinas-covid-19-conspiracy-theories/609772/
Fox News. (2020). Hilton: Stop dangerous, divisive information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyqOZfiTDEI
Gil de Zúñiga, H., & Chen, H. T. (2019). Digital Media and Politics: Effects of the Great Information and Communication Divides. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronics Media, 63 (3): 365-373.
Graef, J., Da Silva, R., & Lemay-Hebert, N. (2018). Narrative, political violence, and social change. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 43 (6), 431-433.
Guess, A., Nyhan, B., & Reifler, J. (2018). Selective exposure to misinformation: Evidence from the consumption of fake news during the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign. European Research Council , 9 (3), 1-39.
Hoffman, L. (2013). Political interviews: Examining perceived media bias and effects across TV entertainment formats. International Journal of Communication, 7; 471-488.
Housh, A. M. (2018). Fake News, Political Narrative, & Social Media: A Structuration Approach. Capstone Collection. 3087.
Johnson, B. G., & Kelling, K. (2018). Placing Facebook: “Trending,”“Napalm Girl,”“fake news” and journalistic boundary work. Journalism Practice , 12 (7), 817-833.
Levendusky, M., & Malhotra, N. (2016). Does media coverage of partisan polarization affect political attitudes?. Political Communication , 33 (2), 283-301.
Kreiss, D. (2016). Seizing the moment: The presidential campaigns’ use of Twitter during the 2012 electoral cycle. New media & society , 18 (8), 1473-1490.
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