Sociology
H. Emadi; S.A. Afshani; H. Eslami
Abstract
This study employs grounded theory (GT) to qualitatively explore preconditions for good governance in social media with an emphasis on accountability. The study sample consists of 20 media activists and social media managers who were selected using a theoretical or purposive sampling strategy. The data ...
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This study employs grounded theory (GT) to qualitatively explore preconditions for good governance in social media with an emphasis on accountability. The study sample consists of 20 media activists and social media managers who were selected using a theoretical or purposive sampling strategy. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with participants. The data collection process continued until saturation, i.e., no new pieces of information could add to the final model. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, and then a paradigm model and a theoretical schema were developed based on the 15 main themes and the final theme extracted. The results indicated that the “tamed power of sovereignty” is the fruit of a set of factors such as accountability soft punch, reverse control and monitoring, popular network activism, and networked pressure groups, influenced by a set of contextual and intervening factors. What can cause public trust and social solidarity as the ultimate goal is the adoption of strategies such as normalization of accountability, good pragmatism, the networked activity of governing bodies, and institutional accountability of the government and then moving towards the establishment of an online accountability system. The theoretical schema and paradigm model proposed in this study can interpret the results more accurately.
Social Sciences and Communications
H. Gheblezadeh; A. Afshani; H. Eslami
Abstract
Today, living in the age of media and information, human beings are exposed to all kinds of seemingly real news and information, the rumored nature of which is hidden from the view. In the face of such unreliable news, people often republish it in virtual and real spaces, which can lead to a significant ...
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Today, living in the age of media and information, human beings are exposed to all kinds of seemingly real news and information, the rumored nature of which is hidden from the view. In the face of such unreliable news, people often republish it in virtual and real spaces, which can lead to a significant security, economic and social damage. Therefore, the present study is conducted with the aim of more deeply identifying users' strategies in the face of news and especially rumors in the virtual space and the process of reducing rumor-making and rumor-mongering with a qualitative approach and Strauss and Corbin's field theory method. Based on theoretical and purposive sampling, 24 young Yazdians active in cyberspace, including 12 men and 12 women, participated in the research and their narratives were analyzed. The data collection process was performed simultaneously with their analysis in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. Findings show the central phenomenon of dualism of trust in news sources, whether national, non-national or virtual. News were tracked from credible sources whereas credible and rumor contents were measured accordingly. Eventually, due to the timeliness of rumors and media literacy training, there was high probability of discrediting. The mentioned strategies, such as the temporary reduction of rumor mongers' visits were found to silence rumors.