| ID | 170354 |
| Title Proper | Liberation Technology’ or ‘Net Delusion’? Civic Activists’ Perceptions of Social Media as a Platform for Civic Activism in Belarus and Ukraine |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Pospieszna, Paulina |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article analyses activists’ attitudes towards using social media for civic actions in authoritarian and democratising countries. Specifically, it examines whether civic activists in Belarus and Ukraine perceive social media as ‘liberation technology’ or as unhelpful and overhyped, a ‘net delusion’. We compare the ways in which civic activists use social media for the purpose of spreading information, networking and mobilisation. We find that social media is used by them for civic activism in order to campaign for civil and political liberties in their countries. Civic activists are generally enthusiastic about the use of social media, however we highlight challenges arising from socio-political conditions as well as negative consequences of activists’ online engagement.
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| `In' analytical Note | Europe-Asia Studies Vol. 71, No.10; Dec 2019: p.1664-1684 |
| Journal Source | Europe-Asia Studies Vol: 71 No 10 |
| Key Words | Social Media ; Liberation technology ; Belarus and Ukraine |