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"Social media is for the elite" : Local political communication in Ghana in times of COVID-19

DOI zum Zitieren der Version auf EPub Bayreuth: https://doi.org/10.15495/EPub_UBT_00006414
URN to cite this document: urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-6414-2

Title data

Sabbi, Matthew ; Neubert, Dieter ; Stroh, Alexander:
"Social media is for the elite" : Local political communication in Ghana in times of COVID-19.
ed.: Ayeko-Kümmeth, Jane
Bayreuth : Institute of African Studies , 2022 . - IV, 34 S. - (University of Bayreuth African Studies Working Papers ; 32 )

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Project's official title
Project's id
‘In the shadows of autonomy': Decentralization, municipal decision-makers and local contexts in Ghana and Rwanda
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Project financing: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Abstract

With the spread of smartphones in Africa, social media applications particularly WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter offer due to their commentary function a platform for political debate but also for political communication. We ask whether and how local administrations use this communication channel. We draw on our study of social media platforms in three selected districts in Ghana and examine the contents of local political discussions on these platforms. Although the topics of debate often vary according to local contexts, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presents crosscutting concerns that affect both urban and rural districts. We analyse topical issues communicated on the platforms as well as how local people react to those topics. Insights from earlier fieldwork and recent interview data allow us to compare the congruence between the topics of social media debates with the everyday contents of local political debates. We conclude with observations and hints on the methodological challenges of online research.

Further data

Item Type: Working paper, discussion paper
Keywords: political communication; social media platform; local government; COVID-19
DDC Subjects: 000 Computer Science, information, general works > 070 News media, journalism and publishing
300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology
300 Social sciences > 320 Political science
300 Social sciences > 360 Social problems, social services
900 History and geography > 960 History of Africa
Institutions of the University: Faculties
Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies
Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Professor Political Science: African Politics and Development Policy > Professor Political Science: African Politics and Development Policy - Univ.-Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg
Research Institutions
Research Institutions > Central research institutes > Institute of African Studies - IAS
Faculties > Faculty of Cultural Studies > Professor Political Science: African Politics and Development Policy
Research Institutions > Central research institutes
Language: English
Originates at UBT: Yes
URN: urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-6414-2
Date Deposited: 12 Jul 2022 08:53
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2022 08:53
URI: https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/6414

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