Social Media and Politics

Dr. Michael D. Cohen, CEO of Cohen Research Group and author of Modern Political Campaigns, shares how artificial intelligence is impacting political campaigns. We discuss how AI is like an automated staffer, and what types of human involvement is still needed to craft a winning strategy. We also examine AI's role in generating copy like social media posts and speeches, as well as how it can be used for qualitative data analysis such as focus groups. In addition, we consider how AI relates to trending concepts such as authenticity and political polarization. Get a copy of the 2nd edition of Modern Political Campaigns on Amazon or directly through the publisher.And you can listen to a broader discussion of the book in an earlier episode. 

Doug Kaplan, President of Kaplan Strategies, discusses the utility of political polling for local, state, and national races. We discuss the value of polls when partisanship is high, the changing political communication landscape, and Florida as a Republican stronghold (for now). 

Dr. Johan Farkas and Dr. Marcus Maloney discuss how the language used to describe digital media frames our understanding and the actions of policymakers. We break down how terms like "toxic", "trolls", and "filter bubbles" are often used uncritically and limit how we understand the relationships between digital media and social problems like misogyny, racism, and harassment. Here's a link to the book discussed in the episode: Digital Media Metaphors: A Critical Introduction (2024)

The 9th Annual Social Media and Politics Year in Review! This year, we cover the platforms’ year in review reports, election interference in Romania, the battle over text and the "eXodus", and social media bans for teenagers. Here are links to resources discussed in the episode, and see you in 2025!Platform Reports:MetaTikTokSnapPinterestTwitchGooglePornhub

Ryan Davis, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at People First, guests for a debrief on content creators in the 2024 US election. We discuss content creator strategies between the two parties, how influencers have become professionalized, and what this means for communications and elections going forward. Advertising, authenticity, and power flows are constantly in flux in this environment, and the very conceptions of old and new media are being challenged. A space to watch!Check out People First's Substack to keep in the loop, and Ryan's Travel Podcast just for fun :)

Daniel C. Hallin, a renowned expert in media systems and political communication, dives deep into the intricacies of digital media and its hybridization. He reveals how historical, cultural, and political factors shape media systems. The discussion covers the impact of technological advancements on media practices, including the influence of the iPhone. Hallin also explores the relationship between media systems and partisanship, emphasizing the need for a historical and comparative approach in media studies.

Kindred Motes, founder of KM Strategies Group, discusses his advocacy work against the harmful narratives of Project 2025. He explains the critical role of Google Search Ads and TikTok in countering misinformation. The conversation dives into the challenges nonprofits face with digital campaigns and how strategic planning is essential for effective communication. Kindred shares practical tips for nonprofits to navigate today's media landscape and emphasizes the importance of reaching diverse audiences to combat extremist threats.

Prof. Sebastian Stier discusses utilizing web browsing data for social science research, including data structure, incentives, and integrating with surveys. Topics include analyzing skewed data distribution, user-centric research, tracking social media behavior, and understanding digital political behavior.

Ryan Davis, Co-Founder of People First, discusses how "micro-influencers" or "micro-creators" are being used in political campaigns. We discuss the benefits of using micro-influencers for engagement, as well as how they can be used to target specific blocks of voters. Ryan also shares how these creators can inform the political strategy of campaigns through panels and focus groups, and how the comments to creators' content can reveal themes and sentiments important for the campaign. Here's a list of resources on micro-influencers written by Ryan and People First: White paper on micro-influencers 2024 election guide on micro-influencersIn-and-outs of influencer outreachAn overview of influencer trends

Dr. Eviane Leidig, Marie Curie postdoctoral fellow at Tilburg University, discusses her book "The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization." We break down the role of social media for the alt-right movement, and how platforms like Instagram and YouTube work to mainstream extremist views. These insights come from Dr. Leidig's research conducting digital ethnography on women influencers prominent on the American Right.