Computer-Mediated Discourse in Public Sphere Engagement
Summary
Computer-mediated discourse in the public sphere examines how digital platforms shape civic dialogue, opinion formation and collective decision-making. It encompasses both synchronous and asynchronous exchanges on social media, news websites and specialised forums. Drawing on theories of deliberative democracy and the modern public sphere, research highlights that online spaces can both extend inclusivity and amplify polarisation. Key processes include framing, agenda-setting and recontextualisation of political messages, while platform affordances influence the visibility and virality of contributions. Studies reveal the emergence of echo chambers and filter bubbles, the strategic deployment of rhetorical devices, and the negotiation of authority between institutional actors and lay participants. At the global level, these dynamics affect protest movements, electoral campaigns and policy debates, demonstrating that computer-mediated discourse is integral to contemporary civic engagement and to the legitimacy of democratic processes.
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Computer-Mediated Discourse in Public Sphere Engagement publication trend
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Technical terms
Computer-mediated discourse: Interaction that occurs through digital channels rather than face-to-face communication.
Public sphere: A discursive space where individuals and groups exchange opinions on matters of general interest.
Recontextualisation: The process of adapting or framing elements of one discourse within another communicative setting.
Echo chamber: An environment in which users encounter only information or opinions that reinforce their existing views.
Deliberative democracy: A model of governance in which legitimacy arises through reasoned discussion among citizens.
References
- “A Shameless Ideology of Shameless Women”: Positioning the Other in Social Media Discourse Surrounding a Women’s Rights Movement in Pakistan. Social Media + Society (2022).
- Participation and deliberation: a case study of readers’ comments to news stories on the Brazilian presidential campaign. Comunicação e Sociedade (2013).
- Recontextualization practices: A scale of directness. Frontiers in Communication (2023).
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