TikTok is rapidly becoming a hotspot for news consumption. Recent studies show that TikTok keeps expanding among audiences, with young and older generations increasingly using the short-video...Show moreTikTok is rapidly becoming a hotspot for news consumption. Recent studies show that TikTok keeps expanding among audiences, with young and older generations increasingly using the short-video sharing platform to acquire their news. This phenomenon has not gone unnoticed by journalists and those in the news industry. Like their peers worldwide, Dutch media has embraced TikTok as an addition to their online presence over the last few years. Yet how successful these efforts have been remains unclear. Thus, this paper aims to explore how the content and topic of news-based TikTok posts impact audience engagement on the platform. To achieve this, I gathered and analysed 75 TikTok posts from two Dutch media organisations: RTL Nieuws and NOS Stories. Drawing from statistical tests, I aimed to find correlations between a post’s content elements, topic and descriptive information regarding audience engagement, such as likes, comments, shares, and more. The results of this study indicate that neither content nor topics are predictors of audience engagement for these two Dutch media organisations on TikTok. Additionally, the results show that the Dutch media does not make its content “TikTok-ready,” as they scarcely (possibly unintentionally) utilise any of the elements required to become trending on the platform. Nonetheless, these observations carry important implications concerning TikTok’s role in news content distribution and audience engagement.Show less
Understanding the early formation of attitudes towards emerging technologies, such as quantum science & technology (QS&T), is essential for aligning the effect of science communication in...Show moreUnderstanding the early formation of attitudes towards emerging technologies, such as quantum science & technology (QS&T), is essential for aligning the effect of science communication in practice with its intentions. This study explores the application of natural language processing (NLP) techniques to investigate the influence of news articles on social media comments regarding QS&T. We curated a dataset of 217 articles and 14, 391 top-level comments from Reddit. Employing GPT-4, a semi-automated annotation method was developed to label comments for sentiment and engagement towards QS&T, achieving a Cohen’s kappa of 0.82 when pooling over multiple labelling repetitions and comparing with human annotations. We then used support-vector regression to determine if news article embeddings could be used to predict comment sentiment and engagement. After experimenting with various embedding strategies, including Sentence-BERT and RoBERTa models, no significant correlations were found between article content and comment sentiment or engagement towards QS&T. Further interdisciplinary work in empirical communication research and NLP is suggested to explore alternative representations for news articles and their ability to predict perceptions in news comments.Show less
Master thesis | Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology (MSc)
open access
The topic of identity, nationalism, ethnic conflict, in the Balkans have been extensively researched. However, with the ever-growing use of social media for political discourse, and to inform the...Show moreThe topic of identity, nationalism, ethnic conflict, in the Balkans have been extensively researched. However, with the ever-growing use of social media for political discourse, and to inform the public, not much has been researched on how the nationalist tendencies that led to the wars of the 1990s have been incorporated by Balkan users online. Through a combined online and offline research approach that employed ethnographic methods for each, this research sought to compare the influences of nationalist political discourse and how reconciliation is approached. The offline research conducted focused on the everyday symbolic and material reality after the war in Bosnia, and how reconciliation is felt by my interlocutors there. The online research was done by observing a particular Subreddit called r/Balkans_irl, where users create nationalist content that is viewed by some as reclaiming their identities through irony, and as offensive toxic humor by others. This research is significant due to the importance the Western Balkans have gained geopolitically over recent years, particularly after of the war in Ukraine. Despite the negative attitude the EU rightfully has towards its domestic nationalist sentiments, it is important to understand why nationalism has been such a focal point in the region rather than simply trying to get rid of it.Show less
Bachelor thesis | Film- en literatuurwetenschap (BA)
closed access
This thesis examines the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert from 2022, in relation to Albert Camus’ absurdism from the 1940s. My research question is: how can...Show moreThis thesis examines the film Everything Everywhere All At Once, by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert from 2022, in relation to Albert Camus’ absurdism from the 1940s. My research question is: how can the contemporary blockbuster EEAaO, as an update of Camus’s ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’, be read as a critique of current social media practices? Camus’ first approach of absurdism is discussed in his essay ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’, in which he compares the absurdity of life with the situation that Sisyphus is in. According to Camus, Sisyphus is able to cope with the absurd, because he is conscious of his absurd existence. This argument can also be found in the film, specifically the use of the multiverse. Evelyn, the protagonist, wants to escape to other universes, in which her life is seemingly better. However, at the end of the film, she realizes that her high life expectations cannot be realized and she reaches a level of acceptance of her current life. This acceptance can be seen as a critique regarding the contemporary use of social media, which I referred to as ‘neo-absurdism’. The film is thus able to offer critique towards our use of social media.Show less
The thesis analyzes the political involvement of notable Nigerian Pentecostal Pastors during the 2015 Nigerian elections by focusing on the output of their social media pages. It highlights how...Show moreThe thesis analyzes the political involvement of notable Nigerian Pentecostal Pastors during the 2015 Nigerian elections by focusing on the output of their social media pages. It highlights how pastors appeared hesitant to make political statements online, despite their significant involvement in-person. This was likely related to the risk of a viral backlash to any political posts online.Show less
Executive master thesis | International Relations and Diplomacy (MSc)
open access
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is certainly not the first instance in which humor emerged as a by-product of political turmoil. In times of extreme societal change, people must adapt physically and...Show moreRussia’s invasion of Ukraine is certainly not the first instance in which humor emerged as a by-product of political turmoil. In times of extreme societal change, people must adapt physically and mentally to survive. Yet, because these adjustments are not immediate, one reaction that can help people acclimate to new circumstances is humor. In answering the research question “What were the functions of digital Ukrainian humor in the first year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine?”, this thesis finds that coping, cohesion, and criticism have emerged in as humor’s primary uses. Specifically, humor functions to create a buffer between old and new realities, define in- and out-groups, and form a medium for commentary. Yet, beyond this, through thematic discourse analysis, the thesis at hand also identifies the sub-categories of humor functions which help explain the means through which humor can meet the stress-relieving, superiority-affirming, or incongruity-resolving needs of groups and individuals in political turmoil. In turn, the thesis reaffirms that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could be labeled a ‘TikTok War’, as the social media became the primary platform for the sharing of Ukrainian humor. In studying visual data, the research contributes to spotlighting the integral role of images as tools of political influence in the digital age and as artifacts the study of which enhances scholars’ holistic understanding of the ramifications of Russia’s invasion. With these findings, humor can be appreciated as a highly nuanced and conscious part of Ukrainian resistance and social resilience.Show less
This paper explores ways in which diaspora communities play a role in the spread of terrorism to Western countries. This is done by answering the following research question “In what ways do...Show moreThis paper explores ways in which diaspora communities play a role in the spread of terrorism to Western countries. This is done by answering the following research question “In what ways do diaspora communities play a role in the propagation of terrorism within Western countries?”. This question is researched through the use of a secondary qualitative content analysis. In order to explore and answer the question in depth the distinction of various chapter topics is made. Chapter 1, takes a closer look at the case study of the Paris Attacks in 2015, to analyse the involvement of diaspora groups in the context of a terrorist attack. While combining it with the problem of migration which identifies some indirect roles that diaspora communities play in the propagation of terrorism. Chapter 2, focuses on social media and recruitment and their impact on diaspora communities, by exploring the vulnerability they create for such communities. Lastly Chapter 3, focuses on the interactions of diaspora communities with Western countries. It further looks at diasporas’ (migrants) lack of ability to properly integrate in their host countries (Western countries), leading to diasporas playing a more important role in the spread of terrorism. This chapter also looks at the specific behaviours that diasporas display which impact the role they play, such as the intentional funding and support of terrorist groups. All these chapters are used to come to the conclusion that there are many indirect and direct pushing factors which lead the diasporas to play a role in the propagation of terrorism in Western countries.Show less
While there is a growing body of research on the effects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the onset of intrastate conflict, the effects of social media access have not been...Show moreWhile there is a growing body of research on the effects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the onset of intrastate conflict, the effects of social media access have not been analyzed thoroughly based on a large N, cross-country study. In this study, the impact of social media access on the onset of intrastate conflict is assessed, using country-year data (2000-2020) for 173 countries. It was hypothesized that social media access leads to an increase in the onset of intrastate conflict, ceteris paribus. Additionally, it was also hypothesized that the effect of social media access on the onset of intrastate conflict is stronger in more ethnically homogenous countries. These hypotheses were tested using a binomial logistic regression model. The main results of the analysis indicate there is only a significant correlation between Internet access and the onset of non-ethnic intrastate conflict. These results suggest that intrastate conflict is too broad of a category and should be disaggregated into smaller subgroups to develop more accurate empirical analyses. This research advances not only the study of intrastate conflict onset but also the academic discussion on the effects of social media access.Show less
Social media and videoblogging, or vlogging, are taking over the internet and North Korea is joining this trend. While doing so, the state is reaching out to the international community through...Show moreSocial media and videoblogging, or vlogging, are taking over the internet and North Korea is joining this trend. While doing so, the state is reaching out to the international community through relatable media content and soft power tools. One of the examples, in which North Korea reached out to the international viewer, is the Youtube channel ‘Echo of Truth’. This research aims to answer the question as to how soft power tools are applied in the videos of ‘Echo of Truth’. By using a qualitative visual discourse analysis, it analyzes the videos of ‘Echo of Truth’ to answer this question. This thesis argues that soft power tools, such as cultural and culinary diplomacy, are applied in the videos in order to make these videos more relatable to the international audience. However, not all the videos were found to have used these soft power techniques as traditional propaganda videos were still uploaded to the channel. The sheer differences found in the channel’s videos raised the question of a power dilemma the channel seemed to be facing.Show less
This research explores the development of alt-right microcelebrities within the digital mainstream to highlight the emerging new repertoire of far-right radicalization in a fast-evolving digital...Show moreThis research explores the development of alt-right microcelebrities within the digital mainstream to highlight the emerging new repertoire of far-right radicalization in a fast-evolving digital ecosystem. This paper takes an ethnographic approach to analyzing a single established alt-right microcelebrity, Tim Gionet, known by his internet handle @BakedAlaska. This paper utilizes Senft’s theory of microcelebrity to explore 'How has Tim Gionet, a far-right personality established himself in the digital mainstream through the cultivation of a microcelebrity persona?'. Gionet cultivates unique identity markers to attract a broad audience, through methods of self-branding and marketing strategies. Furthermore, Gionet uses trolling, a digital, performative mocking technique, in his streams to attract attention from his audience, which is maintained through mechanisms of strategic intimacy. Therefore, Gionet is able to develop a para-social relationship with his audience using mechanisms of microcelebrity to establish himself as an influencer within the mainstream community of the Alt-Right.Show less
Social media platforms have become critical components of rebel groups’ communication channels. While discussions on rebels’ social media presence usually centre around issues of violence and...Show moreSocial media platforms have become critical components of rebel groups’ communication channels. While discussions on rebels’ social media presence usually centre around issues of violence and disruption, mounting evidence exists pinpointing the non-violent tactics rebel actors employ online. Interested in how social media use contributes to the ability of established rebel groups to project, cultivate, and negotiate favourable online personas internationally, this research project offers an exploratory case study analysis of the 5-day long #AskHamas Twitter campaign that Islamic resistance movement for Palestinian liberation Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah - commonly known as Hamas, conducted in March 2015. A mixed method approach combining social network analysis and empathic close-text reading was employed to reconstruct the international reception of the online event. Framing the Twitter campaign conceptually as an instance of public relations (PR) management, findings substantiate that the #AskHamas Twitter event allowed Hamas to establishing direct, and relevant relations with its targeted Western audience. At the same time, evidence pinpoints the ultimate dependency of online campaigns on the willingness of targeted audience to engage seriously. In case of #AskHamas, meaningful exchange with Hamas was obstructed by deliberate trolling, mocking and ridiculing on parts of participating. Evidence collected in this study implicates the urgency to overcome violence-fixation in Western understandings of rebel actors, and the necessity to contextualise identified rebel online communication practices to their socially mediated context of creation and dissemination.Show less
De opkomst van internet, en sociale media in het bijzonder, heeft ervoor gezorgd dat de scheiding tussen nieuwsbron, -producent en -consument minder scherp is afgebakend dan in de tijd voor het...Show moreDe opkomst van internet, en sociale media in het bijzonder, heeft ervoor gezorgd dat de scheiding tussen nieuwsbron, -producent en -consument minder scherp is afgebakend dan in de tijd voor het internet. Sociale media vormen kanalen waarmee niet alleen journalisten van traditionele media, maar ook niet-journalisten via sociale media een groot publiek kunnen bereiken. Daardoor is de rol van de journalist veranderd. Journalisten hebben geen monopolie meer op gatekeeping van informatie. Zij onderscheiden zich nu niet meer van niet-journalisten door poortwachters te zijn, maar door een zo waarheidsgetrouw, objectief en volledig mogelijk nieuwsverhaal te produceren. Om dat te kunnen doen, moeten zij de informatie waaruit het nieuwsverhaal bestaat zo goed mogelijk verifiëren. Dat proces is niet vastomlijnd, maar heeft als doel het verspreiden van onjuiste informatie te voorkomen. Daarnaast zijn sociale media een extra bron van potentieel nieuwswaardige informatie voor journalisten. User Generated Content (UGC), beeld- en geluidsopnames afkomstig van niet-journalisten op Sociale Media, helpen bij snelle verslaggeving, zowel in het verificatieproces als bij de productie van artikelen. Dit onderzoek bouwt voort op het onderzoek van Brandtzaeg et al. (2016). Zij onderzochten het gebruik van sociale media in verslaggeving door journalisten van verschillende West-Europese media. Journalisten in dat onderzoek hanteren verschillende criteria bij de selectie van informatie en verschillende methoden om die informatie te verifiëren. Dit onderzoek richt zich op de rol van Nederlandse journalisten die nieuws publiceren via een professionele mediaorganisatie. De onderzoeksvraag van dit paper luidt: Hoe selecteren, verifiëren, gebruiken en verantwoorden journalisten van landelijke nieuwsmedia in Nederland User Generated Content? Voor het selecteren van sociale media is Twitter, door de toegankelijkheid en handzaamheid, bijna zonder uitzondering het standaard medium waar journalisten UGC zoeken voor in hun nieuwsartikelen. Dat is in overeenstemming met Brandtzaeg et al. (2016). Daarnaast is Google zo alomtegenwoordig in het verificatieproces van Nederlandse journalisten. Andere sociale media worden ook gebruikt, maar pas als tweede keus en/of als de journalist een specifieke reden ziet een bepaald medium te gebruiken. Daarnaast kwamen de gevarieerde kunde, en kennis van verificatiestrategieën en tools van de verschillende journalisten overeen met de bevindingen van Brandtzaeg et al. (2016). Ondanks de consensus onder alle geïnterviewde journalisten van verschillende media dat alleen geverifieerde UGC gepubliceerd kan worden, lijkt de tendens: hoe belangrijker een mediaorganisatie beeld acht, hoe sneller een journalist UGC publiceert.Show less