Social Media and Politics

Martin Hilbert, Professor of Communication at UC-Davis, discusses his research on algorithms and polarization. Prof. Hilbert introduces information theory and how it can be applied to studying the transfer of emotions via algorithms. We break down some of Prof. Hilbert's recent studies, as well as his current thinking around detaching from social algorithms.The studies discussed in the episode:Behavioral Experiments With Social Algorithms: An Information Theoretic Approach to Input-Output ConversionsDo Search Algorithms Endanger Democracy? An Experimental Investigation of Algorithm Effects on Political PolarizationCommunicating with Algorithms: A Transfer Entropy Analysis of Emotions-based Escapes from Online Echo ChambersProf. Hilbert's seven part Medium series on Social Media Distancing. 

Nick Ahamed, Director of Analytics at Priorities USA, shares his research on the effectiveness of digital ads for increasing voter turnout and support for Democrats. We discuss the field and survey experiments that Priorities USA has been running to find the optimal messaging strategies, targeting approaches, and treatment lengths for political social media ads during elections. 

Dr. Anamaria Dutceac Segesten joins for the 5th Annual Social Media and Politics Year in Review! We answer listener questions and present six gifts, each representing big events that shaped social media and politics this year. 25:18 - Platform Year in Review Reports53:08 - Platforms and Activism (Belarus and Thailand)1:16:26 - Political Ad Effectiveness1:38:00 - Platform Regulation (Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act)2:02:31 - Tweets from the Dead2:17:00 - Platform FragmentationHere's a list of each platform's year in review reports: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, Reddit, Reddit UK, Reddit Moderators, Pornhub Debate NightOther supplementary material:Acronym's 'Haha Ratio'Priorities USA's "Wreck" AdDigital Services ActMargarethe Vestager on the Digital Services ActStudy Modelling Dead Social Media AccountsTufts Research on Youth and Political EngagementPew Research on Social Media and Persuasion 

Sofia Diogo Mateus, Audience Development Editor at Politico Europe, discusses the role of social media in online political journalism. We talk about the importance of audience development, the tools used to assist in online publishing and measuring engagement, and the benefits and pitfalls of user generated content (UGC). We also discuss Sofia's work as Head of Facebook at Deutsche Welle, strategies around content moderation, and the value of reporting political news for international audiences. Click here to view the Social Media Producer job posting at Politico Europe. And here to sign up to Tom Moylan's newsletter! 

Dr. Patricía Rossini, Derby Fellow in the Department of Communication and Media at the University of Liverpool, discusses her latest research on informal political talk online. We break down differences between incivility and intolerance in online discussions, as well as misinformation sharing across Facebook and WhatsApp. The two studies we discuss in the episode are: Beyond Incivility: Understanding Patterns of Uncivil and Intolerant Discourse in Online Political TalkDysfunctional Information Sharing on WhatsApp and Facebook: The Role of Political Talk, Cross-Cutting Exposure and Social Corrections

Dr. Terri Towner, Professor of Political Science at Oakland University, discusses her research on political campaigning and information on Instagram. We also give first impressions from the last presidential debate between Trump and Biden, and break down some poll results about citizens' social media use during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are the two studies we discuss in the episode: The Image is the Message: Instagram Marketing and the 2016 Presidential Primary SeasonInstagramming Issues: Agenda Setting During the 2016 Presidential Campaign

Dr. Mark Pack, President of the Liberal Democrats, guests to discuss his new book: "Bad News: What the Headlines Don't Tell Us." We talk about some of the flaws of election campaign coverage and how to be better consumers of news using social media. Dr. Pack also shares his insights on digital campaigning in Britain, where he ran digital operations for the LibDems in the 2001 and 2005 general elections. 

Sinan Aral, David Austin Professor of Management at MIT and Director of MIT's Initiative on the Digital Economy, discusses his new book "The Hype Machine: How Social Media Disrupts Our Elections, Our Economy, and Our Health—and How We Must Adapt."Prof. Aral breaks down key theoretical concepts from the book, which outlines some of the fundamental mechanisms for how social media platforms operate. We also discuss the science behind these concepts and their implications for elections, politics, and society. 

Dr. André Haller (University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tyrol) and Simon Kruschinski (University of Mainz) share their research into data-driven political campaigning in Germany. We discuss the key political, legal, and cultural factors that influence German politicians digital campaigning, differences in organic posts versus paid advertisements, and how social media platforms have been used by fringe political actors.Here's the research paper we discuss in the episode: Restrictions on Data-Driven Political Micro-targeting in Germany. 

Vanessa Molter, Graduate Research Assistant at the Stanford Internet Observatory, breaks down her new report: "Telling China's Story: The Chinese Communist Party's Campaign to Shape Global Narratives." We discuss what researchers currently know about China's influence operations on social media, how they compare with Russia's disinformation strategies, and dive into the report's three case studies: the 2019 Hong Kong protests, the 2020 Taiwanese presidential elections, and the Covid-19 pandemic.