Participation in Political Protest: Tracing Direct and Indirect Effects of News Usage and Social Interaction

Authors

  • Mahmoudreza Rahbarqazi Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
  • Seyed Morteza Noei Baghban Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
  • Niloufar Shafiei Yenghabadi Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS13420191483

Keywords:

Social media use for news, Social media use for social interaction, Network size, Political discussions, Political protest.

Abstract

The present article attempts to explain that social media is generally considered as an important source for expanding political protest via survey data obtained from 2628 Iranian youth. Using social media information, it is expected that political discussions within social media may also be expanded, thereby enhancing the willingness to participate in political protest. The results indicate that social media for news usage and the increase in the size of social networks presented in these media increases the willingness to participate in political protest either directly or indirectly and through the strengthening of political discussions. Moreover, using social media for social interactions, although not directly affecting participation in political protest, strengthens political discussions among political protesters.

Author Biographies

Mahmoudreza Rahbarqazi, Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Seyed Morteza Noei Baghban, Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Niloufar Shafiei Yenghabadi, Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Department of Political Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

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Published

2019-12-05

How to Cite

Rahbarqazi, M., Noei Baghban, S. M., & Shafiei Yenghabadi, N. (2019). Participation in Political Protest: Tracing Direct and Indirect Effects of News Usage and Social Interaction. Observatorio (OBS*), 13(4). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS13420191483

Issue

Section

Articles