Review article
https://doi.org/10.47960/2712-0457.1.1.91
INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS ON CIVIC ACTIVISMAND DEVELOPMENT OF CIVIC SOCIETY
Marija Nakić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Dajana Šošić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Jelena Diklić
orcid.org/0000-0002-8183-7667
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Abstract
The evolution of digital technology has opened the door to new means of creating and passing information in various forms with the help of new media. Civil society often takes over public services that
the state does not or cannot provide, and serves as a sort of corrective for state institutions, especially if the institutions are weak or ineffective. Such social changes are a great challenge to citizens
and civil society. Due to their potential for interactive communication, online media, and particularly
social networks influence the development of political activism. The transition from conventional
media (newspaper, television) to unconventional (internet, social networks) enables the decentralisation of communication, hinders restrictions and control as well as makes the exchange of opinion
and information widely accessible. Through social networks, citizens are allowed to participate in
public discourse, present their opinions and thoughts, and discuss political and social matters. Once
seen as pure passive consumers, the viewers now become active participants as citizens – the source
of information (Perišin, 2010), which has a great impact on the interaction between citizens as well
as the development of critical thought. The very advancement of technology and the evolution of social networks enable easier networking and encourage certain civic initiatives. This in result opens
up new possibilities for the strengthening of the civic initiative’s potential for citizen mobilisation
towards participating in socially beneficial programs and projects as well as opening up new space
for the support of civil society. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the use of Internet
media, i.e. social networks, affect and stimulate the development of civic activism and civil society.
Keywords
new media; social networks; civic activism; civil society
Hrčak ID:
233063
URI
Publication date:
28.6.2019.
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