Political (ab)use of the internet- Facebook in hands of Serbian right-wing

Abstract

This paper explores the role the digital platform Facebook plays in mediating the operational dynamics of extreme right organizations in Serbia. Emphasizing the functional potential of this digital platform, we delve into its capacity to disseminate information, propagate political goals, mobilize members, construct collective identities, and orchestrate actions among right-wing extremists in Serbia. As political activism continues to thrive in the online sphere, and with the right-wing ideologies gaining increasing prominence in the last three decades, our study seeks to shed light on the essential role of the Internet in shaping these dynamic processes. The paper presents findings from a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of two Facebook pages, affiliated with one formal and one informal far-right political organization -Serbian Right and Serbian Honor. The objective is to gain insights into the different strategies employed by political organizations in utilizing digital platforms.