Participatory Media Research Articles

Examining the impact of incivility and intolerance on participation in social media discussions: An experimental investigation

This study investigates how incivility and intolerance impact participation in social media discussions by examining the emotions they evoke. An online experiment (N=1,192) was conducted where participants were exposed to civil, uncivil, and intolerant conditions through simulated Twitter conversations. The study aimed to determine which emotions — anger, anxiety, and disgust — are triggered under these conditions and how these emotions influence individuals’ willingness to participate in social media discussions. Results indicated that anger increased participation in uncivil conditions but had a reverse effect in intolerant conditions, reducing participation. Participants exposed to intolerant comments felt higher levels of disgust and anxiety, leading to a significant decrease in their willingness to participate. Conversely, civil discussions did not elicit strong negative emotions and thus did not significantly impact participation. These findings highlight the nuanced effects of different types of incivility on emotional responses and subsequent engagement in online discussions. The study underscores the importance of distinguishing between uncivil and intolerant discourse to understand their distinct impacts on social media participation.

Kultura uczestnictwa w mediach społecznościowych (na przykładzie picturebooka „Pan Wyrazisty” Olgi Tokarczuk i Joanny Concejo). Refleksje dydaktyczne

The article is devoted to the culture of participation in social media and the issue of creating an image on the Internet, using the example of the picturebook Mr. Expressive by Olga Tokarczuk and Joanna Concejo. Due to the fact that the writer and illustrator took up topics relevant to the net generation, such as consumerism, addiction to digital media, narcissism, loneliness, lack of acceptance and understanding of different attitudes, the word-and-graphic story of contemporary culture was subjected to didactic reflection (as a proposal for reading in Polish language classes).

Stories for Us, or for Others: Digital Storytelling with a Harm Reduction Organization as Culture-Centered Health Communication

ABSTRACT Digital storytelling is a participatory media creation process. To illustrate how digital storytelling may be used as a method within the culture-centered approach to health communication, this paper presents a case study analysis of two 2-day digital storytelling workshops in collaboration with a local harm reduction organization that supports people who use drugs. Storytellers used the communicative space of digital storytelling to confront stigmatizing cultural and institutional narratives related to substance use. Storytellers also demonstrated how harm reduction work engendered a sense of purpose and an alternative to punitive drug policies. However, storytellers felt that stories produced for the harm reduction community could be misunderstood by outsiders, limiting the potential of the stories for advocacy communication. Overall, we find that digital storytelling as a method within the culture-centered approach has potential to elevate the experiences, understanding, expertise, and goals of communities that have been excluded from health communication. The digital storytelling method will have the most value as a critical narrative intervention if the principles and reflexivity of the culture-centered approach are foundational to the process.

Participatory Media and Game Preservation: A Taxonomy of YouTube Game‐Related Content

ABSTRACTVideo games are both information objects as well as experiences of play. However, current methods of game preservation often fail to capture the full gaming experience. To address this, one proposed solution involves leveraging player‐generated content as an alternative to emulation. To investigate the viability of this suggestion, we examine the following research questions: (1) What types of gameplay content exist on the platform YouTube? and (2) What are the challenges and opportunities in utilizing this style of community created content for game preservation? We introduce a Taxonomy of YouTube Game‐Related Content to answer these questions and discuss its application, along with the challenges and opportunities that arose during its creation. Our taxonomy and findings suggest that although utilizing this content for game preservation requires additional knowledge of games and their community, as well as consideration of how the platform and creators impact game history, it also presents opportunities to preserve more diverse voices and experiences of play. Furthermore, it suggests YouTube videos offer a potential avenue, not only for preserving the game object, but also for preserving its broader cultural significance and multiple forms of knowledge.

Webtoons, Desperately Seeking Viewers: Interactive Creativity in Social Media Platforms and Cultural Appropriation of Global Media Production

Webtoons optimize interactivity and participation of media users in the world of digital media by consolidating a unique digital culture. This article examines the role of users in interactive media by exploring the case of webtoons in the context of a changing global political economy and cultural dominance. Korean platform monopolies have established a new business model for webtoons and developed it as a center of Korean creative power. While webtoons have increasingly expanded and attracted the global market and the global audience, some persistent social issues remain, including the precarious labor structure, monopolistic power in the industry, and ideological dominance in content. Although webtoon viewers are often recognized as cultural intermediaries and powerful agents for their contributions to interactive creativity, their role has fluctuated according to changing political-economic structures and industrial strategies. In the course of expanding to the global market and to new business areas such as intellectual property (IP), webtoons have evolved in new fashions while disclosing the ambivalent nature of participatory media and digital interactivity. This article elucidates the double faces of interactive creativity focusing on viewers’ participation in webtoon production in the context of changing webtoon industry and growing partnership with global media.

'I have to remind myself that everyone's search is different': experiences and outcomes of searching and not searching for donor connections among donor conceived adults.

What are the experiences and outcomes of donor conceived adults who are actively searching for, open to contact with, or not searching for donor connections? Most participants were actively searching or open to contact, and 67% had found or been found by a connection; finding or not finding experiences were complex. There is variation among donor conceived individuals in their interest in donor connections. Individual reasons for searching for connections, and which donor connections are searched for, also vary. Most research studies have focussed on individuals who are actively searching for their donor or donor siblings. Global increases in direct-to-consumer DNA testing and social media participation mean that connections may be made to individuals unaware of their (or their relatives') involvement with donor conception. These social and technological changes have also increased the chances of donor conceived individuals being contacted without expecting or desiring contact. This study included 88 donor conceived adults, in the UK, who participated in an online multi-method survey between January and August 2022. The survey was designed in consultation with staff and volunteers from the UK's largest community networks for donor conception families (Donor Conception Network, DCN) and donor conceived people (Donor Conceived Register Registrants' Panel, DCRRP). It was piloted by five donor conceived people before its launch. Participants were recruited with assistance from DCN and DCRRP, via social media, university mailing lists, and snowballing. Participants were mostly female (n = 65, 74%) and sperm donor conceived (n = 79, 90%). Of the 88 participants, 39 (44%) were actively searching for their donor connections, 44 (50%) were open to contact but not actively searching, and 5 (6%) were not searching. Questions were closed (yes/no, rating scale, or multiple choice) or open-ended, addressing experiences of donor conception, searching for connections, and finding or not finding connections. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative results showed no differences between the groups on any demographic variables or in when or how they found out about being donor conceived, and no differences between active searchers and those open to contact in whether they had found their donor connections. Significant differences were found between groups in their interest in their genetic history and the perceived importance of genetics to their sense of identity, with active searchers being more interested and rating this as more important than those open to contact. Methods of searching significantly differed across groups, with active searchers using genetic testing and social media more than those open to contact. 59 participants across all groups (active searchers (n = 29, 74%), open to contact (n = 27, 61%), not open to contact (n = 3, 60%)) had found or been found by a donor connection. Experiences of finding or not finding donor connections among participants actively searching or open to contact were captured by the theme complexities, with six subthemes: uncertainties in searching and relating; searching as open-ended; different donor connections, different experiences; expectations and realities; searching and finding or not finding as catalysing change; and experiences of other donor conceived people. Most participants were members of relevant community organizations. As is common in research in this area, the sample was mostly female and conceived using donor sperm. Donor conceived people who are disinterested in donor connections may be unlikely to participate in research on this topic. The nature and impact of the search process itself should be considered when developing appropriate mechanisms of support for all donor conceived people, regardless of whether they are actively searching for connections or not. Further research should seek to better understand how donor conceived people with varying levels of interest in searching for donor connections differ from one another. This study was funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council [New Investigator Award ES/S015426/1]. The authors have no competing interests to declare. N/A.

Unveiling the complexity of social commerce continuance intention: a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis

PurposeComprehending the determinants influencing the sustained engagement in social commerce assumes paramount importance for its success, particularly within the context of developing countries. This study employs complexity theory to examine the antecedents of the intention toward social commerce continuance.Design/methodology/approachA structured online survey was designed to collect data regarding four behavioural factors: satisfaction, trust, online social support, and continuance intention. The net effect of each construct was evaluated using a symmetrical modelling technique, and to identify the asymmetric effect, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis was conducted.FindingsThe findings of the structural equation modelling confirmed the importance of satisfaction and online social support for continuance intention. The asymmetric analysis revealed three recipes leading to social commerce continuance intention and three combinations for its absence, contributing to understanding the complexity of online consumer decision-making.Research limitations/implicationsTheoretically, this research highlights the interplay between online social support, trust, satisfaction, and s-commerce continuance intention. Gaining insights into the main factors influencing social media participants' behaviour assists business organizations and policymakers to foster the growth, and the sustainability of the s-commerce.Originality/valueCombining two distinct methodologies, the findings of this paper allow for a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted dynamics that underlie consumer behaviour and provide actionable insights for businesses seeking to refine their strategies within the dynamic realm of social commerce. Further, the study offers a valuable roadmap for marketers and policymakers to enhance consumer relationships and augment the efficacy of social commerce initiatives.

Modern determinants of legal awareness

The article substantiates the presence of correlation dependence of such processes as the growth of digital literacy and legal awareness, and also reveals other factors of legal capacity in the era of digital transformation. It has been proven that understanding this essential interdependence provides answers to a number of questions regarding the priority ways of developing the legal system of Ukraine. Increasing digital and legal awareness is depicted as a logical step towards active participation in the management of public affairs. Online deliberation is depicted as a means of positive influence on the perception of the relevant tools of democracy. In this context, political crowdsourcing is defined as a way of finding effective solutions and a positive impact on civic cohesion. It has been demonstrated that the era of digital technologies provides wider opportunities for the realization of human and citizen rights and freedoms, but at the same time creates new challenges and threats to ensure these rights and freedoms. Legislation regulating relations in the field of digitization is also becoming less transparent. It is noted that virtual space opens up new opportunities for manipulating public opinion, and deliberate functioning in the conditions of new threats of instrumentalization of virtual communication depends on the appropriate configuration of communication platforms. With this in mind, priority issues of scientific discourse and regulatory improvement are highlighted, namely: political crowdsourcing and participatory democracy, online deliberation and principles of cooperation with stakeholders, dissemination and support of fact-checking initiatives to verify the reliability of information, legal status of bloggers, fixers and other media participants as opinion leaders. It is concluded that a certain level of legal literacy, together with digital competence, is a prerequisite for effective participation in modern democratic practices, but this participation can also increase the level of legal awareness of citizens, in particular due to the fact that the Internet plays an important role in shaping the agenda and developing the critical potential of the public.

Drawing as collective self-care: Leeds animation workshop’s collaborative practices during the pandemic

Studies and debates about the impact of the Covid-19 (Covid-19 is the term widely used to denote the SARS-CoV-2 virus and adopted by the World Health Organization when communicating with the public) pandemic on the film and moving image industry have emphasized the economic and cultural consequences of lockdowns and social restrictions on cinematic productions and theatrical and festival circuits, leading to the rise of streaming platforms and services. Within this discussion, little attention has been drawn to the independent sector of non-profit cooperatives or collectives, grassroots distribution companies and community archives involved in feminist and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual+ activism. This essay examines this area of post-pandemic cinema through the example of Leeds Animation Workshop, a women-run, feminist collective. Since its establishment in the eponymous West-Yorkshire city in 1978, the collective has been producing and distributing gender-focused animation films about social and educational issues worldwide. My argument is that Leeds Animation Workshop’s online media activities during the pandemic signal less an adjustment to a new media environment in response to social restrictions than a repurposing of their gendered and participatory media practices for social change and critical intervention.

The smart TV in low-income migrant households: Enabling digital inclusion through social and cultural media participation

This paper reports on an ethnographic study that examined smart TV use in low-income migrant households in Australia. We find that the smart TV is used by migrant families for diverse forms of social and cultural participation. In addition, we find that YouTube – which is often accessed using the smart TV – is reshaping family media practices. We argue that while digital inclusion scholarship has focussed on access to and use of mobile phones, laptops and computers, the smart TV, perhaps more than any other device in the home, enables digital inclusion through intergenerational media engagement. This paper presents insights for policymakers and offers a new area for investigation for digital inclusion and media scholars.

Refreshing the affinity space concept: evolving understandings of learning via social media platforms in an algorithmic age

Purpose The purpose of this conceptual paper is to describe how the affinity space concept has been used to frame learning via social media, and call for and discuss a refresh of the affinity space concept to accommodate changes in social media platforms and algorithms. Design/methodology/approach Guided by a sociocultural perspective, this paper reviews and discusses some ways the affinity space concept has been used to frame studies across various contexts, its benefits and disadvantages and how it has already evolved. It then calls for and describes a refresh of the affinity space concept. Findings Although conceptualized 20 years ago, the affinity space concept remains relevant to understanding social media use for learning. However, a refresh is needed to accommodate how platforms have changed, algorithms’ evolving role in social media participation and how these technologies influence users’ interactions and experiences. This paper offers three perspectives to expand the affinity space concept’s usefulness in an increasingly platformized and algorithmically mediated world. Practical implications This paper underscores the importance of algorithmic literacy for learners and educators, as well as regulations and guidance for social media platforms. Originality/value This conceptual paper revisits and updates a widely utilized conceptual framing with consideration for how social media platform design and algorithms impact interactions and shape user experiences.

The relationship between feminist collective action and social media engagement

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of online collective feminist actions on social media participation and the perceived value of social media as part of the social identity model of collective action (SIMCA). Design/methodology/approach A mixed methodology is used. Within the SIMCA model in the context of feminist collective actions, social identity, group-efficacy and fear predicted the intention of online collective action participation in the first part (quantitative) of the study. Contrary to predictions, the influence of anger on the intention to participate in collective action was negative. In-depth interviews are conducted in the study’s second (qualitative) part to investigate why individuals do not participate in collective actions despite their anger at violence against women. Findings The concept of online feminist collective action, from the perspective of the SIMCA model, deals with violence against women in the context of social marketing, revealing the importance of online collective actions as an antecedent of social media participation and the perceived value of social media. The possible causes of the negative impact of anger, which is an important emotion within the framework of the SIMCA model, on online feminist collective action were determined, and a contribution was made to the social marketing literature in the context of women’s rights. Originality/value The study makes three major contributions to the literature. First, women’s rights are addressed in the context of online collective action, an issue that has received little attention in social marketing. Second, in the context of the social identity theory of collective action, online collective feminist action and its predecessors are addressed. Finally, the Turkish case is used to highlight the probable causes of anger’s negative impact on collective action.

Socialized into illegal protest? The impact of voting and social media participation

Socialized into illegal protest? The impact of voting and social media participation

P-487 The experiences and outcomes of donor conceived adults in the UK who are actively searching, open to contact with, and not searching for donor connections

Abstract Study question What are the experiences and outcomes of donor conceived adults who are actively searching, open to contact with, and not searching for donor connections? Summary answer Most participants were actively searching or open to contact, of whom 67% had found or been found by a connection; finding/not finding experiences were complex. What is known already There is variation among donor conceived individuals in their interest in donor connections. Individual reasons for searching for connections, and which donor connections are searched for, also vary. Most research studies have focussed on individuals who are actively searching for their donor or donor siblings. Global increases in direct-to-consumer DNA testing and social media participation mean that connections may be made to individuals unaware of their (or their relatives’) involvement with donor conception. These social and technological changes have also increased the chances of donor conceived individuals being contacted without expecting or desiring contact. Study design, size, duration 88 donor conceived adults in the UK participated in an online multi-method survey between January and August 2022. The survey was designed in consultation with the UK’s largest community networks for donor conception families (Donor Conception Network, DCN) and donor conceived people (Donor Conceived Register Registrants’ Panel, DCRRP). It was piloted by five donor conceived people before launch. Participants were recruited with assistance from DCN and DCRRP, via social media, university mailing lists, and snowballing. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were mostly female (n = 65, 74%) and sperm donor conceived (n = 79, 90%). 39 participants (44%) were actively searching for their donor connections, 44 participants (50%) were open to contact but not actively searching, and 5 participants (6%) were not searching. Questions were closed (yes/no, rating scale, or multiple choice) and open-ended, addressing experiences of donor conception, searching for connections, and finding or not finding connections. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Main results and the role of chance Quantitative results showed no differences between groups in how they found out about being donor conceived, and no differences between active searchers and those open to contact in whether they had found their donor connections. 59 participants across all groups (active searchers (n = 29, 74%), open to contact (n = 27, 61%), not open to contact (n = 3, 60%)) had found or been found by a donor connection. Active searchers who had found (Median = 3, IQR = 2) were more likely to feel their expectations had been met compared to active searchers who had not found (Median = 3, IQR = 1). (U = 55.00, p = .003) and those open to contact who had not found (Median = 4, IQR = 2) (U = 110.50, p = .001). Qualitative results showed that participants in all groups mentioned identity and belonging, family relationships, and having found connections as reasons for presently searching/not searching. Experiences of finding/not finding donor connections among participants actively searching or open to contact were captured by the theme complexities, and six subthemes: uncertainties in searching and relating; searching as open-ended; different donor connections, different experiences; expectations and realities; searching as catalysing change; and experiences of other donor conceived people. Limitations, reasons for caution Most participants were members of relevant community organisations. As is common in research in this area, the sample were mostly conceived using donor sperm and identified as female. Donor conceived people who are disinterested in donor connections may be unlikely to participate in research on this topic. Wider implications of the findings Assumptions about individual thoughts and experiences of searching for and connecting with donor connections should not be made based on search activity, nor should this determine access to support services. The nature and impact of the search process itself should be considered when developing appropriate mechanisms of support. Trial registration number Not applicable

The dialectical relationship between the authorial and the collaborative in contemporary documentary: Perspectives from three case studies

This article discusses the intersections between authorial and collaborative work in the scope of ethnographic documentary departing from three case studies: two research projects and one citizen collective of participatory media. All case studies were developed in Porto, Portugal, between 2013 and 2020, focusing on the city’s invisibilities and everyday experiences, searching for alternative narratives to the mainstream media when portraying its people and places. This article aims to reflect on how authorial documentary work, followed by self-criticism and self-reflection, can be incorporated into participatory media frameworks in productive ways. The challenges faced by the three cases are intrinsically related and have influenced each other throughout this period, addressing issues related to the representational crisis; the legitimation of subjectivity and the exploration of different styles within documentary; as well as the relationships between the filmmaker, the camera, the subject/character portrayed and the audience. These themes are explored through a series of first-person field reports and the study of authors and directors in the field of documentary filmmaking.

Peran Public relations dalam Membangun Ekuitas Merek Mobil Listrik Wuling Air EV di Indonesia

This research employs a quantitative research methods to analyze the important role of Public relations (PR) in building brand equity and the existence of Wuling Air EV electric car products in Indonesia. In an era that increasingly emphasizes environmental issues, the automotive industry is turning to environmentally friendly vehicles such as electric cars. Wuling, as a newcomer in this market, faces challenges in building consumer trust and competing with established brands. Through effective PR strategies, such as media relations, digital campaigns, and active participation in social media, Wuling strives to increase brand awareness, positive image, and customer loyalty. With a focus on educating consumers about the benefits of electric vehicles, Wuling Air EV is expected to maintain and strengthen its position in the competitive automotive market.

Uniting communities: harnessing social capital for community resilience during coronavirus disease 2019

This research investigates the impact of both traditional and virtual social capital on community resilience, with engagement on social media as a mediating variable. The study surveyed 397 inhabitants of an urban <br /> sub-district in Palembang, Indonesia, and analyzed the data using the structural equation model partial least square (SEM-PLS) technique. The results indicate that it is critical to prioritize and activate various forms of social capital to enhance community resilience during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The analysis showed that social media engagement had a significant positive impact on community resilience (p<0.05), however the influence of virtual bonding social capital was negligible and negatively skewed (p=0.084). It is significant to note that community resilience was significantly positively impacted by both traditional bonding and bridging social capital (both p<0.05). Social media involvement was also markedly positively impacted by virtual bonding and bridging social capital (both p<0.05). The link between virtual bonding, bridging social capital, and community resilience was strongly influenced by social media use in terms of mediation (both p<0.05). This emphasizes how important social capital, both physical and digital, and particularly social media participation, are to building community resilience during pandemics.

The old king is dead, long live the algorithmic king – the decline of Facebook and the rise of TikTok – comparative study of algorithmic design of social media platforms

AbstractAlmost 20 years of Facebook (FB) hegemony in the social media have lately been put in jeopardy by the newly arising Chinese platform TikTok (TT), which has taken the market by storm. This comparative study aims to analyse the divergencies in the employment of AI and algorithms in the mechanics of the two social media platforms. The ‘the networked self’ model of FB is contrasted with the ‘algorithmized self’ of TT and the implications of the latest shift in the social media approach, which has skewed from the engagement with other social media users to strict interaction with the AI‐induced algorithm. Additionally, particular elements and reasons for the declining importance and involvement in the FB platform are under scrutiny here to provide an explanation for the participation downturn of the Gen Z generation in the American social media platform. This study has revealed a steady shift from FB to other social media platforms that provide a more personalized experience and the content that is better suited to the needs of contemporary young people. Another issue that is discussed is the changing agency of social media participants, who have been switching from the traditional user model to the creator mode, which allows them to employ their creativity and become immediate producers of video content that challenges traditional approaches to social media.

Media discourses of migration: A focus on Europe

AbstractWith a focus on the post‐2015 period in the western and northern regions of Europe, the research examined here shows prominent media discourses of othering, threat and deservedness of migrants. This spatial and temporal frame lends itself to the study of how discourses reflect the impact of the so‐called ‘refugee crisis’ in these regions of Europe. Since there was also continued immigration related to increased opportunities for work, education, quality of life and family togetherness which have long brought migrants to these European countries, examining the research in this period allows us to discover how these discourses might distinguish between different migrant experiences. There is some evidence for the differentiation of certain types of people of migration background in the media discourses, despite a strong tendency to stereotype and essentialise regardless of the actual background of migrants or their descendants. Another key aspect in the research to date is how professional versus participatory media can be compared in the discourses of migration they reproduce, and how these different types of media play a role in society. The article ends with a call for a more intersectional perspective on migration which incorporates critical perspectives on racialisation, and further examination of the voices of migrants in the media.

A Study of Youth's Engagement Behavior in Transnational Media in an Intercultural Context: Taking Volleyball in China and Japan as an Example

In the era of globalization, intercultural communication studies have emerged as a focal point of research. Analyzing interactions and exchanges across cultures offers deeper insights into the intricate dynamics of cultural and social evolution. Sports, especially volleyball, serve as a bridge between nations, facilitating mutual understanding and cooperation. The significance of volleyball exchanges between China and Japan is unmistakable, representing a crucial aspect of bilateral sports diplomacy. Against this background, it is imperative to delve into the identity sentiments of youth towards their engagement with Chinese and Japanese volleyball media in an intercultural context. This exploration not only provides insights into the values and cultural leanings of the younger generation but also clarifies the intricate influence of these factors on cultural dissemination. The findings reveal that youths' enthusiasm for sports and their individual attributes directly impact their participation in Japanese volleyball media. Moreover, this influence is modulated by a sense of intercultural identity, reflecting a complex interplay between personal attributes, cultural affiliations, and media engagement. Additionally, the widespread use of social media emerges as a key factor, intersecting with intercultural identity to shape youths' engagement with volleyball media. By exploring this topic, this paper can help gain a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between personal identity, cultural affiliations, and media consumption among young individuals, specifically within the realm of volleyball media in China and Japan.