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Does Social Media Use Matter? A Case Study of the 2018 Irish Abortion Referendum

Author

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  • Theresa Reidy

    (Department of Government and Politics, University College Cork, Ireland)

  • Jane Suiter

    (School of Communications, Dublin City University, Ireland)

Abstract

The role of social media at electoral events is much speculated upon. Wide-ranging effects, and often critical evaluations, are attributed to commentary, discussions, and advertising on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and many other platforms. But the specific effects of these social media during campaigns, especially referendum campaigns, remain under-studied. This thematic issue is a very valuable contribution for precisely this reason. Using the 2018 abortion referendum in Ireland as an illustrative case, this commentary argues for greater research on social media at referendum campaigns, more critical evaluation of the claims and counterclaims about social media effects, often aired widely without substantive evidence, and, finally, for robust, coordinated cross-national regulation of all digital platforms in line with global democratic norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Theresa Reidy & Jane Suiter, 2023. "Does Social Media Use Matter? A Case Study of the 2018 Irish Abortion Referendum," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 81-85.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:11:y:2023:i:1:p:81-85
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sina Blassnig & Eliza Mitova & Nico Pfiffner & Michael V. Reiss, 2023. "Googling Referendum Campaigns: Analyzing Online Search Patterns Regarding Swiss Direct-Democratic Votes," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 19-30.
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    1. Linards Udris & Mark Eisenegger, 2023. "Referendum Campaigns in the Digital Age: Towards (More) Comparative Analyses in Hybrid Media Systems," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 11(1), pages 1-5.

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