New Media and Citizenship in Asia: Social Media, Politics, and Community-Building
May 24, 2012 | Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication | Arizona State University
The role of new communication technologies, such as the internet, social media, and mobile phones, in political and civic engagement has generated significant interest from not only scholars, but also organizations, politicians, and ordinary citizens. While recent events in the Middle East help recognize the potential of new communication media as an agent contributing to macro-level political changes, these new communication tools are also actively utilized in more traditional political processes, such as electoral campaigns. Also important is people’s everyday use of new communication technologies, which research has uncovered as providing an opportunity to encounter public affairs news and discourse, enhance understanding of issues, and get involved in civic and political activities.
This preconference aimed to showcase innovative scholarly work examining various subjects concerning the role of social media, mobile phones, and other new communication technologies in the formation of democratic citizenship-writ large—in Asia. The preconference sought studies that address relevant topics in a particular Asian country, and welcomed comparative research on Asian countries or Asian and non-Asian countries.
Sponsors
- University of Michigan Nam Center for Korean Studies
- Academy of Korean Studies
- Nanyang Technological University Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
- University of Michigan Department of Communication Studies
- International Communication Association Political Communication Division
- Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
