DefinePK

Research Objective

To find out the role of memes, trolls, and bullying in building the public agenda on social media concerning national issues in Pakistan.

Methodology

Survey research design using a self-administered questionnaire with closed-ended questions. Data was collected via questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS. The sample size was 400 students and employees from the University of Sargodha who use Facebook and Twitter and are familiar with memes, trolls, and cyberbullying. The study is theoretically grounded in agenda-setting and agenda-building theories.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Define Research Objective"] --> B["Select Theoretical Framework: Agenda-Setting & Agenda-Building"];
    B --> C["Adopt Survey Research Design"];
    C --> D["Develop Self-Administered Questionnaire"];
    D --> E["Collect Data from 400 University of Sargodha Students/Employees"];
    E --> F["Analyze Data using SPSS"];
    F --> G["Interpret Findings"];
    G --> H["Draw Conclusions"];                    

Discussion

Social media has become a powerful tool for shaping public opinion on political issues in Pakistan, with memes, trolls, and cyberbullying emerging as significant agenda-setting strategies. These phenomena, once verbal or physical, have gained amplified strength and reach through social media. Political parties actively utilize these tactics for propaganda, to defame opponents, and to provoke or harass individuals, impacting the public agenda and potentially causing significant distress to victims.

Key Findings

Respondents indicated that politicians use memes more frequently than trolls or cyberbullying to alter public perception on political issues. Facebook usage is more frequent than Twitter. Political parties create and share memes to defame opponents. Users consume memes in political affairs more frequently than cyberbullying, viewing memes, trolls, and bullying as interesting ways to spread targeted political information. Memes affect the fame and personality of targeted political leaders.

Conclusion

Memes play a significant role in the political agenda-setting process in Pakistan due to their viral nature and strategic use by political parties. While trolls and cyberbullying also contribute, memes are more prominent. Social media has become vital in Pakistan's political landscape, with new trends like trolling, bullying, and memes serving as tools for propaganda and persuasion by political parties.

Fact Check

1. Sample Size: The study sampled 400 students and employees from the University of Sargodha. (Confirmed in Methodology)
2. Publication Date: The article is from Volume 02, Issue 03, October-December 2024. (Confirmed in Header)
3. Theoretical Framework: The study uses agenda-setting and agenda-building theories. (Confirmed in Theoretical Framework)

Mind Map